The Lakewood Police Department is celebrating the retirement of Captain Gregory Staffordsmith #264 following more than 25 years of dedicated service to the department and the Lakewood community.

Born and raised in Lakewood, Staffordsmith has spent much of his life serving the community he calls home. He attended Holy Family Elementary School in Lakewood and began his public service career well before joining the police department.

In 1991, Staffordsmith became a volunteer firefighter with Lakewood Township and was named a part-time paid firefighter in 1994. The following year, he took a civilian firefighter position at the Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne. In 1999, he joined the City of Bayonne Fire Department, serving there until beginning his career with the Lakewood Police Department in 2000 after graduating from Ocean County Police Academy Class #75.

During his more than 25 years with Lakewood Police, Staffordsmith rose to the rank of captain and served as Investigations Commander. In that role, he helped oversee investigations, Internal Affairs, accreditation, hiring and other key department functions.

Lakewood Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer praised Staffordsmith for his decades of public service, leadership and commitment to the community.

“Greg, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside you,” Meyer said. “Your more than 25 years with the Lakewood Police Department, following your years of service as a firefighter, reflect a lifetime of commitment to helping others.”

Meyer also thanked Staffordsmith for his friendship and leadership, wishing him happiness, good health and many enjoyable years with his family in retirement.

The Lakewood Police Department thanked Staffordsmith for his lifetime of public service and the lasting impact he has made on both the department and the community.