My name is Ethel Hermenau, and I am on the Galloway school Board however, I do not represent the Galloway School Board or Liberty and Prosperity. This is my article as a mother, grandmother and Citizen of the United States.
The midterm elections are just 17 days away — November 3rd! One of the candidates on the ballot is our own Atlantic County Sheriff, Joseph “Tokyo Joe” O’Donoghue. Before you vote, take a few minutes to learn about our Sheriff: his 48+ years of law-enforcement experience, what he has accomplished since taking office in 2024, his goals for public safety, and the kind of leader he strives to be. An informed vote starts with knowing the person behind the badge!
I asked Sheriff Joe a few questions to help you get to know the man behind the badge—his experience, accomplishments, goals, and the person he is beyond the title.
1. How long have you served as Atlantic County Sheriff, and would you tell our readers a little about yourself and your background?
I took office as Atlantic County Sheriff in January 2024. I came into the position with more than 48 years of law-enforcement experience. My career started as a Special Police Officer in Atlantic City, followed by service as a full-time police officer with the Hamilton Township and Mullica Township Police Departments. I ultimately retired from the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.
Becoming Sheriff was particularly meaningful to me because I became the first elected Atlantic County Sheriff who had previously served as an officer within the Sheriff’s Office.
After retiring from the Sheriff’s Office, I served for 12 years as Sergeant at Arms for the Superior Court. During that time, I was the sole eviction officer for Atlantic County and handled a caseload of more than 10,000 cases per year.
Law enforcement has been my life’s work. I’ve received 15 Commendations, including the Medal of Valor, Combat Cross, and Life-Saving Award, but the recognition that means the most to me is the opportunity to serve the people of Atlantic County.
I’m also a husband, a father and a grandfather, and family has always been extremely important to me. I am proud that five of my 12 children have followed me into law enforcement.
2. What policies and changes have you implemented since taking office? What are some of your accomplishments?
When I became Sheriff, I wanted the Sheriff’s Office to be a strong, active law-enforcement agency that the people of Atlantic County could see, rely upon, and call upon when they need us.
We’ve strengthened the Sheriff’s Office’s law-enforcement and community-safety functions while continuing to carry out our responsibilities to the courts and the residents we serve. The Sheriff’s Office currently operates specialized functions including K-9, traffic enforcement, transportation, SWAT, community policing, fugitive and warrant operations, domestic-violence services, and Project Lifesaver.
One accomplishment that is particularly important to me is Project Lifesaver. It provides specialized tracking technology and a trained search-and-rescue response for individuals who may wander because of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism, and related conditions. For families dealing with those circumstances, having a trained team capable of responding quickly can be critically important.
Another issue I have taken very seriously is protecting the rights of people involved in the foreclosure process. That responsibility eventually led to litigation involving Atlantic County and the Community Wealth Preservation Program. In July 2026, the New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed a ruling in favor of Atlantic County and found that the challenged provision deprived dispossessed homeowners of their right to fair-market-value compensation under the circumstances of that case.
For me, accomplishments aren’t simply about adding programs or making announcements. They are about building an organization that is prepared, professional and capable of serving the people of this county when they need us.
3. What is the need for safety in our communities?
Public safety has to remain one of our highest responsibilities because people want to know that when they call for help, someone is going to answer and be prepared to respond. Atlantic County is made up of many different communities, and every community has different needs. The Sheriff’s Office has an important countywide role in supporting local law enforcement, protecting the courts, handling warrants and fugitives, providing specialized resources and helping residents through programs such as Project Lifesaver and community-safety initiatives.
But public safety isn’t just about enforcement. It’s also about prevention, preparation and relationships. I believe law enforcement has to be visible and accessible. We need to work with our municipal police departments, schools, businesses, senior citizens, faith communities and residents. When law enforcement and the community communicate with one another, everyone is better prepared to deal with problems when they arise.
My philosophy has always been simple: you protect people by being prepared before the emergency happens, not after it happens.
4.What do you want people to know about the “real Joe”?
The real Joe is pretty simple.
I’m a guy who grew up believing that if you give your word, you keep it. I’ve spent more than four decades in law enforcement, and I’ve never forgotten that the badge is a responsibility — it isn’t a privilege to be used for yourself.
I’ve worked the streets, I’ve worked in the courts, I’ve dealt with people at some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and I’ve seen what happens when government doesn’t work the way it should.
I don’t believe in sitting behind a desk and telling other people what needs to be done. I believe in getting involved, listening to people and finding solutions.
I’m also very proud of my family. Five of my 12 children have chosen careers in law enforcement, and I know firsthand the sacrifice that families make when someone chooses this profession.
I don’t take the position of Sheriff for granted. Every day I put on this uniform, I understand that I’m representing the people of Atlantic County. My obligation is to serve them — regardless of who they are, where they live or what their background may be.
5. What would your mission statement for 2026 be, considering all the political changes that have occurred?
“Our mission in 2026 is to keep Atlantic County safe, protect the rights of our residents, uphold the law and make sure the Sheriff’s Office remains professional, accountable and prepared to serve every community in this county.
Politics will change. Administrations will change. Circumstances will change. But the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office does not change. Our responsibility is to the people.
We will continue to put public safety first, support our law-enforcement partners, protect the courts, respond to those who need us and treat every person we encounter with professionalism and respect.
My commitment is simple: “serve the people, protect the people, and remain accountable to the people”
Sheriff Joe: A Regular Joe with a Heart for People
What impressed me most about Sheriff Joe is that, behind the badge and the years of law enforcement, he is “a regular Joe” —humble, approachable, genuine, and able to relate to people from all walks of life. He is a man who honors God, understands that life can be a struggle, and cares about the everyday men and women working hard to provide for their families and make ends meet.
I was especially struck by his ability to balance discipline with compassion. He understands that law enforcement requires strength, accountability, and firm leadership, but that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. That combination of strength and compassion is a rare quality—and one worth recognizing.
If I Had to Sum Up Sheriff Joe…
To me, Sheriff Joe is more than a title, a badge, or a position of authority. He is a man of faith, a father, a grandfather, a friend to all —and a true servant of God and the people he serves. He is the kind of man who, I believe, would put his own life on the line to protect another without stopping to ask who that person is or what they could ever do for him.
That is what makes a great leader—not the power he holds, but the heart with which he serves. The greatest leaders are true servants. They put others before themselves, lead with humility, stand firm in their convictions, and understand that leadership is not about being above the people, but standing up for them.
So how do you honor a man who has dedicated his life to serving others?
You stand with him. You stand for what matters. And on November 3rd, you make your voice heard.
RE-ELECT JOE “TOKYO” O’DONOGHUE — to protect our community, stand strong for our families, and serve the people who matter most: ALL OF US.
