An Open Letter of Thanks

Last night, a 20-year-old woman was reported missing in Toms River. What could have become a tragedy instead became a powerful example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and community volunteers work together.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Toms River Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Chaveirim, Shomrim, and Hatzolah for their incredible efforts throughout the search.

The Toms River Police Department deserves special recognition for the outstanding job they did. Knowing they were working with a limited number of officers on duty made what they accomplished even more impressive. They quickly started a search, remained calm and professional throughout the night, and seamlessly worked alongside multiple agencies and volunteer organizations. Watching them made it clear how dedicated they are to protecting our community. They went above and beyond the call of duty, and every officer involved should be proud of the work they did.

A special thank you to Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and his team for deploying specialized resources, including infrared drones and K-9 units, helping to search areas that would have otherwise been difficult to cover.

Thank you to Chaveirim and Shomrim, who mobilized more than 120 volunteers in a very short time. Those volunteers searched neighborhoods, backyards, wooded areas, and anywhere else she could have been, refusing to give up until she was found.

Thankfully, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the young woman was located alive and in good condition. She was then transported by Hatzolah EMS for evaluation.

What impressed me most was watching so many different agencies and organizations working side by side with one common goal: bringing a young woman home safely. Everyone worked together as one team, each bringing their own resources and expertise. It was a reminder that when law enforcement and community volunteers come together with a shared mission, lives can be saved.

On behalf of myself and the family, thank you to every officer, sheriff’s deputy, dispatcher, volunteer, EMT, and everyone else who answered the call. Your professionalism, dedication, compassion, and teamwork made all the difference.