James Ryan named state PBA Member of Year
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

James Ryan

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — The state Policemen's Benevolent Association (PBA) recently awarded its 2008 Member of the Year award to a detective from the township Police Department.

The PBA recognized police officers from throughout the state at its 112th annual valor awards dinner at the Pine Manor in Edison Dec. 22. Among them was James Ryan, a South Brunswick police detective who was honored as the union's Member of the Year.

Keith Dunn, the state PBA's executive vice president, said that North Brunswick Lt. Christopher Zerby, who died in a car accident this summer, was awarded a posthumous medal, while Sen. Stephen M. Sweeny was given the Legislator of the Year award.

PBA President Anthony Wieners complimented Ryan for his work as the union's volunteer spokesman, thanking him for his advocacy on behalf of the union and its members.

"Jim's hard work and loyal dedication has given a voice to New Jersey law enforcement," Wieners said.

Ryan, 39, worked for several causes with the PBA: coordinating relief efforts for a policeman's widow, assisting a pregnant police officer with keeping her job, and negotiating retirement eligibility with the Internal Revenue Service, according to a PBA press release.

Ryan also traveled to the Bahamas to assist a New Jersey police officer who was shot. Ryan is the point person for the NJ COP SHOT program, which establishes a reward to informants from across the state for tips related to incidents where police officers are shot in the line of duty. Within 24 hours of the public being notified of the reward, Ryan said authorities received a tip that led to the apprehension of two suspects in the Bahamas shooting.

The PBA is working on establishing a single hot line to receive tips from across the state, so information can be shared from police departments, Ryan said. This is more practical than creating a different hot line each time an incident occurs, he said.

Ryan noted that his contribution is only part of what the PBA does across the state. He has been South Brunswick's delegate to the union for five years and the state PBA communications director for the past 15 months, giving him the opportunity to be more involved on the state level.

"I am always amazed by the actions of officers taken around the state," he said. "I am proud to be a part of the organization."

Ryan expressed gratitude for the support of his wife, Kim, and his four children. The South Amboy native said he is honored that a group that does work in so many communities recognized him for his contribution.

"I'm humbled by the award," Ryan said. "The organization has been around for over 112 years. I'm just humbled that I have some small part."

"Jimmy is a huge asset to the PBA when it comes to getting our word out there," Dunn said.

South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond J. Hayducka congratulated Ryan, who has been with the department for 15 years. Hayducka said Ryan epitomizes the state PBA's practice of helping those who help others.

"He is a credit to our agency," he said.