3 Somerset County Sheriff Officers, Dog Promoted

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Somerset County Sheriff Darrin J. Russo held a swearing-in ceremony for three newly promoted supervisors from the Law Enforcement Division on July 1.

Administering the Oath of Office for the promotions was Superior Court Assignment Judge Honorable Thomas Miller. Also present for the ceremony was Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson.

Promoted Personnel included:

Captain Michael DiGuilio - DiGuilip was hired by the Sheriff's Office in 2001, and was assigned to the Law Enforcement Division where he served as a Charge Officer for Family, Civil and Criminal divisions at the Somerset County Superior Courthouse. In 2003 Michael was assigned as an agency Field Training Officer and within a short period of time, he revised and updated the entire program. In 2005 Michael was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau where he worked on Child Support Enforcement, Background Checks and Criminal Investigations. In 2014 Michael was promoted to Sergeant within the Detective Bureau while still serving as the agencies lead Field Training Officer. In 2017 Michael was promoted to Lieutenant where he oversaw Front Desk Operations and was assigned to the Internal Affairs Investigations Unit. Michael is married to his wife Michelle and they have a daughter (Shana) and grandson (Trenton).

K9 Sergeant Shannon Snook - Snook was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 2015, Shannon is a K9 handler along with her German Shepherd K9 partner Basilone (named after famous Raritan Borough resident and United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone), they are a certified patrol/tracking team. The K9 team quickly built a reputation together after having pursued criminals, aided in the apprehension of suspects, successfully located missing endangered persons, as well as recovering evidence such as money, handguns and stolen proceeds utilized in crimes. They work to foster key relationships between law enforcement and the community that they serve by providing K9 demonstrations. In 2021, Shannon and K9 Basilone competed in their first United States Police K9 Association National Competition and earned second place. Shannon also participates in the Police Unity Bike Tour, she is a member of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard along with being a certified Emergency Manager. Shannon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from William Paterson University as a member of the International Sociology Honor Society. Shannon is also a past winner of Somerset County’s "Outstanding Women in Government Award". Along with Shannon’s promotion, Police Dog Basilone was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant during the ceremony.

Sergeant Adrian Romero - Romero was hired by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office in 2009 after graduating the Somerset County Police Academy as the Assistant Class Leader for Police Class 44-10. Adrian is a member of the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, Special Response Team (SRT), as well as being a Field Training Officer. In 2014, Adrian was assigned to the Somerset County SWAT team. In 2016-2017, Adrian was on loan with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as an undercover Task Force Officer assisting with investigations that included surveillance along with executing search warrants. Starting in 2018, Adrian was assigned to the Administrative Division overseeing the Project Lifesaver Program which specializes in assisting seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease and special needs children with Autism. In addition, Adrian also assists the agency with training new Sheriff’s Office recruits and preparing them mentally and physically for the upcoming police academy. Adrian also helps oversee the Sheriff’s Office new internship program along with adding support to the Hate Crimes Awareness and Prevention Unit.

"It's my pleasure to swear in these three new supervisors and our police dog today, all have gone above and beyond during their careers to do what’s right, serve the community and make the Sheriff's Office very proud of them," said Russo.

During the ceremony, Russo honored Bridgewater resident Arthur Wildman as the Sheriff Office’s first-ever Honorary Life Member. After having his daughter Alison, an avid dog lover, pass away in the tragic events of the Ground Zero NYC Terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Wildman and his family created the Alison Marie Wildman Foundation which has generously supported the Sheriff's Office K9 Unit over the past 20 years with over $50, 000 in donations.

"We are honored to have Arthur Wildman as an official member of our Sheriff’s Office family," said Undersheriff Tim Pino.

For more information on the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/SomersetCountySheriffsOffice.

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