Eric F. Wilsusen

Eric is a lifelong 61-year resident of Jefferson Township, having grown up and resided in the Lake Shawnee section of the Township, and graduated from Jefferson Township High School. Eric and his wife, Kristine, have been married for 30 years, and they have two adult daughters, Karly and Katelyn. Eric is completing his second term as Mayor of the Township of Jefferson.

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Eric became a Jefferson Twp. Police Officer in 1986, following his father, Ken, who retired in 1992. Eric became the Township's first DARE officer in 1991 and is known as "Officer Eric,"  a title he treasures to this day. After serving the community for over 30 years, Eric retired as the Deputy Chief of Police, as did his father. Eric now works for the RC Diocese of Paterson as the Director of Child & Youth Protection. 

 

Eric graduated with an Associate's Degree from the County College of Morris, attended Montclair State University, is a graduate of the certified public manager program through Fairleigh Dickinson University; a graduate of Northwestern University's School of Police Staff & Command as well as earned certificates from Rutgers University in Municipal Finance and Municipal Budgeting.

 

In addition, throughout his career, Eric has received numerous departmental & community service awards and has enjoyed his lifelong service to his community.

 

Volunteer & Community Activities

• Jefferson Twp. Fire Company #2, Active member 1984-1999, Engineer 1986, Captain 1987-88, Asst. Chief 1989, Chief 1990, Chairman Trustees 1994, Life Member 1998 to present

• Jefferson Twp. Municipal Alliance for a Drug-Free Community, Member 1991-2005, Co-Chairman 1993-95, Treasurer 1996-2005

• Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Church, Trustee 2007-present, Catechist 1996-present, Lector 1997-present,  Religious  Education Committee 1996-1999, Parish Center Advisory Committee 1998 -2004, Chairman Parish Carnival Committee 2004-2012, Diocesan Protecting God’s Children facilitator 2006 to present, Local Youth Protection Coordinator 2009-Present, Member-Knights of Columbus #5510 2007 to present, Member-Diocesan Review Board 2010-Present. 

• Jefferson-Consolidated PTA, Honorary Life Member - 1999

• Lake Shawnee Club, Board of Governors 2002-present, Club President 2007 to present

• Jefferson Youth Soccer- Coach  2009-2015, RVSL Coordinator 2009-2016, Board member 2012-2019, Vice-President 2016-19.

• Jefferson Twp. High School PTSA-President 2015-2019

• Jefferson Twp. HS Girls Soccer Booster Club-Vice President 2016, President-2017-2019

• Lake Hopatcong Commission, County of Morris Representative, 2016-Present

• Morris County Prevention is Key-Board of Trustees 2017-Present

• Jefferson Educational Foundation-2018

• Mayor, Township of Jefferson-2019-Present 

• Atlantic Health Systems, Chilton Memorial Hospital Community Advisory Board -2025-Present

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Honors & Awards

• Jefferson Twp. Police Department, Honorable Service Awards 1988

• Jefferson Twp. Middle School PTA, Recognition Award 1991

• Knights of Columbus, Shield Award 1993, 2010

• Milton Tri-PTA, Service Award 1992

• Jefferson Twp. Police Department, Educational Achievement Awards 1990, 1998, 2000, 2003.

• Jefferson Twp. Rotary Club, Citizen of the Year Award 1997

• Jefferson Twp. Police Department, Chief's Achievement Awards 1998

• Lake Hopatcong Elks Club, Officer of the Year 2000

• Jefferson-Consolidated PTA, Person of the Year Award 2002

• Diocese of Paterson- Bishop’s Vivere Christus Award 2009

• Jefferson Twp. Chamber of Commerce, President’s Service Award 2012

• Jefferson Twp. Recreation Advisory Board, Character Counts Award 2013

• Township of Jefferson Mayors Award, Citizen of the Year 2014

• Diocese of Paterson Catholic Charities -Humanitarian of the Year Award 2016

• Jefferson Twp. High School Athletics- Distinguished Service Award 2017