Michael Schmitt

West Caldwell Police was notified
of a potential threat at the high school.
Officers were sent to investigate and administrators
put the school in to a lock down as a precaution.
No danger was found to the students.
​Our investigation continues.

Michael Schmitt PHOTO: Essex County Jail

Credit: Paul DiFrancescantonio

"Officers discovered a single engine Cessna 206
had crashed in the wooded area behind 810 Passaic Avenue 
just after take off from the Essex County Airport," 
commented West Caldwell Police Captain Gerard Paris.
"The wreckage was completely engulfed by fire
which the West Caldwell Fire Department extinguished.
  The pilot and sole occupant was found in the wreckage, deceased."

The tarp was set up over the crash site. Credit: Janet Markman

"I witnessed the plane coming down and crashing," Alvine commented.
"I was the first on the scene and called it into the police.
I then called out for a working fire dispatch for mutual aid from
Fairfield, Caldwell, Verona and the First Aid Squad.  
I set up command in the parking lot at 810 Passaic Avenue and gave instructions to the incoming fire trucks and towns.
We had to cut the fence of the day care center
to enter the area where the plane was burning.
Then we stretched two lines coming into the woods
and eventually extinguished the fire.
The victim was found still in the plane.
The fire was extinguished and command of the scene
was turned over to police agencies."  

"I was the first one to reach the wreckage," Connolly commented. 
"I jumped the fence and made my way to the plane.
I advised West Caldwell command that there was one body in the plane 
but I continued searching the perimeter for any other victims."

Credit: Karla Gaeta Post

Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley

Credit: Ari Brion

"I wasn't home," said Ari Brion, "but my dad told me that 
he heard something from far away and he went to the door 
thinking there was an accident down the street. 
When he opened the door he saw that the car crashed into the house."

"Everyone is good, the car only damaged the house," Ari continued. 
"RIght now the car is holding up the house basically 
so they're going to have to figure out how to take it out."

"I live on Washington, the first house in from Central,"
commented Emma Kiernan. "That corner is a death trap.
People drive around the bend far too fast and the bushes on the corners
make it impossible to see anyone coming.
There are at least two to three bad accidents in the same spot every year.
We have tried to petition for a traffic light
but they can't do it since it is an Essex County road.
I'm honestly surprised that no one, to my knowledge, has been killed.
I've known people that have been seriously hurt there though;
even pedestrians have gotten hit."

West Caldwell Police Chief Michael J. Bramhall and Corporal Bill Styskal Credit: Nick Bellomo

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Corporal Styskal for 25 years,
the last ten of which he has worked for
the West Caldwell Police Department," Bramhall commented.
"It is a bitter sweet moment that he is retiring. 
Bill was well liked by everyone that worked with him and
throughout his career I have received countless letters from the public
thanking him for his service to the community.
I wish Bill and his wife Sue, and their children all the best in the future." 

William Loeffler, Sr. of the 143rd Precinct Credit: Styskal Family

William Loeffler, Jr. of the 89th Precinct Credit: Styskal Family

Montclair Special Officer William Styskal Credit: Styskal Family

"I was days out of school and it was my dream job," Styskal related. "We carried side arms and patrolled the streets of Montclair. I did this for seven years until I took the exam for Essex Fells Police Department."

"Bill started out as a dispatcher with Essex Fells Police Department in 1990 and then as an officer in 1991," Essex Fellls Chief Vincent Kulik commented. "He was a hard working and dedicated police officer with a great sense of humor. I consider Bill to be  a good friend and I wish him and his family well as he closes this book and moves on."

Essex Fells Police Officer William Styskal Credit: Styskal Family

"While I was with Essex Fells, I delivered two babies," Styskal explained.
"One was during a snow storm on Forest Way; the husband was driving his wife to the hospital and got stuck in a snow bank.
I stumbled onto it and remember saying to the father
'Are you crazy? It's a blizzard out there!'
We got the mom into an ambulance where we delivered a baby boy.
The other delivery was on Inwood Road
when the mother almost lost her life after she began hemoraging.
Thankfully everyone survived."

West Caldwell Police Corporal William Styskal Credit: Styskal Family

"My passion is on the streets," said Styskal.
"I never wanted to rise through the ranks and get taken off the road.
I was a detective for six years and I hated not being in patrol.
That's my passion. Street cop.
When I got promoted to Corporal I got nervous that I would be taken off the street but I remained and I even became a Training Officer for new officers."

  "It's every officers goal to get to where I am today
without being killed or seriously hurt," Styskal expressed. 
"My scariest moment in my career was while I was
serving a search warrant in East Orange.  
I located a live hand grande that was set to go off
while we were doing the search warrant.
My face was less than a foot from the grenade when I found it.
Eight detectives narrowly escaped unharmed
while the bomb squad was able to disarm it."

"Police work for me has never been a job, it has always been my passion.
My proudest moment in my career was
walking out into the waiting police and friends on Thursday," Styskal said. 
To have the tremendous support of my wife and children along with officers from several police departments, and most especially West Caldwell Police was a great honor! I will cherish that day forever in my heart!"

Bill and Susan Styskal with their children Billy (pink), Christian (grey), Emily and Joey (red)

"I was totally taken by surprise!," he commented.
"I told my guys that I didn't want any fanfare; I just wanted to fade out into the sunset and I was told that my wishes would be granted.  
And I didn't want to cry in front of a lot of people! Oh well!"

"Thank you to my Good Friend Bill for serving as a police officer; he did his job everyday with true love and dedication for his profession. Bill has set the bar pretty high for those starting as police officers today."

Nick Bellomo and Bill Styskal Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley

Bill is loved and respected for who he is: 
Police Officer, Husband, Father and Friend," Bellomo continued.
"The town of West Caldwell will miss his patrolling their streets 
and I can only hope, for their sake, that someone will follow his lead 
with the same dedication and love for the job that he had.
Bill is one of the last of the good guys, one of the cops that truly loves his job and he's always respected everyone who respected him. 
He is loved by everyone he has ever touched as a police officer.
I wish Bill could go on to teach the rookies 
starting on the job how to be a gentleman.
The tough guy attitude isn't always needed, 
sometimes understanding people is the mindset needed to do a cop's job." 

"Words cannot express how happy and proud I am for Billy;
he has been nothing short of amazing to me throughout my career and has certainly served as a role model for a young cop growing up
in this profession," Fairfield Police Officer Frank Tracey expressed.
"I've always loved showing up on a scene with him and
I thank him for years of unconditional support, advice and laughs.
He has been a blessing to this profession
and has certainly served with Honor and Distinction.
The communities he served were lucky to have
such a wonderful guy at their service.
Congratulations and well done!"

"My first funeral was for Danny Smith," Styskal explained.
"I was 20 years old and had never been to a police funeral before.
I was so taken by the support from police that came from all over the country.
They held a gathering at the Turtle Brook in West Orange
and it was standing room only.
I met officers from as far away as California!
I felt then that it was so important to never forget officers
killed in the line of duty and I will never forget my first funeral!"

From left: West Caldwell Police Cpl Lenny Santiago, Roseland Police Officers with Cpl Bill Styskal, and at the far right, Ptl. Steve Huster

"It has been an honor to work next to Officer Styskal for so many years.
With a personality as big as his heart, Bill is always
the guy that brings life to a room or to the sidelines," Deuer commented.
"He's accomplished so very much over the years, 
but nothing better than the amazing kids he has raised. 
On behalf of my family members, I thank him for keeping West Caldwell
a great place to live and raise a family; he has done the community proud.
And we at the North Caldwell Police Department
thank him sincerely for his service and for being a true brother. 
His retirement is well deserved 
and I know he will move on to many new great endeavors."

"Bill and I always had a lot of good times together
while we were working and a lot of laughs," said DeAngelo. 
He always met up with me with that big smile on his face
and always made me happier.
He's a true 'cops cop' and he's always put others before himself.
He's a great father, husband, and community leader
and I wish him good health and prosperity in his retirement."

Cedar Grove Sgt. Ed Conlon commented,  "Congratulations to Billy on his retirement; he truly is a 'cops cop' and it's an honor to call him my Brother."

West Caldwell Police Cpl. Dave Vanderclock, and Cpl Bill Styskal Credit: Styskal Family

"Bill Styskal was a fine addition to the West Caldwell Police," Wolsky expressed.
"He has served this community with a great deal of pride
and was the utmost professional.
I wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors
and thank them all for his years of service."

Gerard Giannetti, of Roseland, concurred: 
"The township of west Caldwell will have a huge hole to fill now that Bill has left. I thank him for being an exceptional public servant and a good friend.

West Caldwell Sgt. Daniel Gorman and Cpl. Wiillam Styskal

"I made it a point to make sure that our new officers were at Detective Liu's funeral to experience what I experienced at my first funeral," said Styskal.
"I was given a special coin by the NYPD's Chief's Office for our
support of the 84th during a fundraiser for the fallen officers families.
I made sure that Officer Steve Huster got one of those coins.
I told him never to forget his first funeral
and to always keep his head in the game!"

"I love this job and I'm going to miss it," Styskal commented,
"but I'm really looking forward to spending time with my family. 
I will cherish my times spent with my brothers and I know I'm going to miss them terribly,  but I am looking forward to being a dad and husband." 

Bill Styskal's graduation from the Police Academy Credit: Styskal Family

"As my time as a police officer closes, I have spent many hours reflecting on my personal accomplishments and memories both good and bad since I first became a police officer," Styskal stated. "I realized that I've done it all. Delivered babies, saved lives, turned bad guys into good guys, laughed and cried! But the one thing I'll cherish the most are the friendships and bonds that I've developed over the years. To willingly say that you would without hesitation take a bullet for your partner knowing that he would do the same for you is an amazing feeling! I'm truly blessed for all that I've experienced and grateful for those that I've served with! I am a foot soldier in a domestic war of crime and wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"I feel blessed that I had the privlege of serving the citizens of West Caldwell. 
At 1900 hours, I will walk out through the employee-only door,
only to return next time through the front door! 
What a great 25 years it has been. 
Stay Alert Stay Alive brothers!"