Sparta Police shake up staff, promote two

By Megan Heintz
SPARTA — Sparta Police Sgt. John Paul Beebe and Det. Keith Hannam were promoted during a swearing-in ceremony held in the courtroom at the Sparta Municipal Building Tuesday night.

“It’s always a proud moment for the police department when we get to promote members,” said Sparta Police Chief Ernest I. Reigstad. “It’s also a very important part of the continuing legacy and the continuing management of our department that we bring these individuals forward. Both of these individuals have put in long hours to the Township of Sparta and they have exemplified themselves as outstanding officers in every aspect of their career. I’m very proud to, at this time, have them move to the next rank and take on a new responsibility."

Lifelong Sparta resident Beebe, 54, will assume the responsibilities of Operations Commander as he moves to the rank of Lieutenant.

Beebe said he is humbled by the opportunity.

“I’ve lived here all my life. I was educated here. I got married here. I raised my family here. My wife has made it very clear to me when I retire that I’m staying here. So I think it’s safe to say that Sparta Township is the center of my universe,” Beebe said.

Beebe was hired as a patrol officer in Aug. 1989 before he was assigned to the Detective Bureau in June 1991. By 1998, he was promoted to sergeant and transferred to the Patrol Division where he was a shift commander for 13 years.

In May 2011, Beebe was reappointed to the Support Division serving as the department's public information officer. Currently, Beebe also oversees the Sparta Police Youth Division.

Beebe graduated from Pope John XXIII Regional High School in 1989, attended Seton Hall University and is a five-year military Veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He is married to Brenda Beebe, who is a member of the Sparta Board of Education, and they have three children Dylan, Jenna and Grace. All were on hand at Tuesday's ceremony.

Detective Keith Hannam, 41, will now move to the rank of sergeant and assume the duties as a Patrol Shift Commander.

“We have the best police department,” Hannam said. “I’ve been here with the department for 22 years and it’s been a long time, a long process. I started here as a dispatcher and worked my way up through the schools.”

Between Sept. 2004 to 2010, Hannam was appointed as a school resource officer for local schools. In Feb. 2010, Hannam moved to the Detective Bureau.

Hannam said that being a detective is the position that he is going to miss the most.

“Being a detective was great and also working with the kids in town was incredible. Now I have a new journey. I started this past week on nights working with a whole new squad and getting back into patrol, which is going to be a different job title, but I look forward to working with all of my men," Hannam said. "I look forward to continuing the job here. It’s a long time coming.”

Hannam graduated from Sparta High School in 1991 and earned an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Sussex County Community College. He is married to Sheryl and has two children Kyle and Keira, who were also in attendance.

Due to these promotions, Reigstad announced two personnel modifications as well.

Twenty-one year veteran Sgt. Dennis Proctor will be moving from the Patrol Division to the Support Division as a shift commander and will assume the role as the department’s new public information officer.

Cpl. Joseph Antonello, a ten-year veteran, will be transferred from the Patrol Division to the Detective Bureau.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Mayor Molly Ann Whilesmith said, “Our Council is extremely proud of our police department. Thanks to their efforts, we are the second safest community in New Jersey.”

Speaking to the police department, Beebe added, “That’s no joke. That’s you guys and girls.”

“If you remember back a year-and-a-half ago when the tri-state region was being sieged by an organized gang of serial burglars that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies could not put their hands on. Here in this township, the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau, not once but twice, took the gang out in a high-profile arrest on the street ending crimes against our citizens without firing a shot. That’s a tribute to your training, experience and a high level of professionalism. You are what’s best in this community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Mayor Whilesmith said, “Congratulations to Sgt. Beebe and Det. Hannam on your imminent promotions. We recognize and celebrate your selfless devotion to your duty and your community this evening. My congratulations to your families as well.”

The promotions have been put into effect immediately.