“We have an elected mayor in town, then we have an unofficial mayor… he is phenomenal” is the way Atlantic Highlands Councilman Jon Crowley described Police Captain Harry Murtha.
Murtha is retiring September 1, and the police Department will have an official walkout ceremony for him at 3 p.m. August 28 in the parking lot outside the police headquarters door and all are invited to attend.
Councilman Jon Crowley
Council’s resolution honoring the retirement of the longtime officer was scheduled to be one of 18 resolutions approved without being named nor with any public reading. But Crowley asked that Resolution 147-2026 be separated so it could be read in its entirety before being voted on.
Mayor Lori Hohenleitner then read the resolution which highlighted several of the achievements in Murtha’s professional life, from the time he was first sworn in as a police officer in 2001 under Police Chief Jerry Vasto through his retirement effective September 1 “concluding a remarkable career spanning 30 years of dedicated service to the borough of Atlantic Highlands”
The Resolution cited Murtha’s continued advance through the ranks of the department, his promotion to sergeant in 2012, to lieutenant in 2021, and his rank as Captain which he has held since 2022.
The resolution continues that throughout his service, the retiring Captain “has exemplified the highest standards of law enforcement, professionalism, leadership, integrity and compassion, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow officers, municipal employees and residents …”
The resolution also pointed out Murtha was a familiar and trusted presence in the borough, always willing to help others, supports fellow offices and provide exceptional service to the community.
While the resolution officially accepts his retirement, Crowley added his vote to accept it was done “sadly and reluctantly,” and termed the officer a “phenomenal ambassador.
Harry Harry Harry Harry Harry Harry Harry Harry Harry he tent he lived in stood right smack up against the wall of the shallow, dull-colored forest separating his own squadron from Dunbar’ s. Immediately alongside was the abandoned railroad ditch that carried the pipe that carried the aviation gasoline down to the fuel trucks at the airfield. Thanks to Orr, his roommate, it was the most luxurious tent in the squadron. Each time Yossarian returned from one of his holidays in the hospital or rest leaves in Rome, he was surprised by some new comfort Orr had installed in his absence – running water, wood-burning fireplace, cement floor. Yossarian had chosen the site, and he and Orr had raised the tent to get her. Orr, who was a grinning pygmy with pilot’s wings and thick, wavy brown hair parted in the middle, furnished all the knowledge, while Yossarian, who was taller, stronger, broader, and faster, did most of the work. Just the two of them lived there, although the tent was big enough for six. When summer came, Orr rolled up the side flaps to allow a breeze that never blew to flush away the air baking inside.The tent he lived in stood right smack up against the wall of the shallow, dull-colored forest separating his own squadron from Dunbar’ s. Immediately alongside was the abandoned railroad ditch that carried the pipe that carried the aviation gasoline down to the fuel trucks at the airfield. Thanks to Orr, his roommate, it was the most luxurious tent in the squadron. Each time Yossarian returned from one of his holidays in the hospital or rest leaves in Rome, he was surprised by some new comfort Orr had installed in his absence – running water, wood-burning fireplace, cement floor. Yossarian had chosen the site, and he and Orr had raised the tent to get her. Orr, who was a grinning pygmy with pilot’s wings and thick, wavy brown hair parted in the middle, furnished all the knowledge, while Yossarian, who was taller, stronger, broader, and faster, did most of the work. Just the two of them lived there, although the tent was big enough for six. When summer came, Orr rolled up the side flaps to allow a breeze that never blew to flush away the air baking inside.The tent he lived in stood right smack up against the wall of the shallow, dull-colored forest separating his own squadron from Dunbar’ s. Immediately alongside was the abandoned railroad ditch that carried the pipe that carried the aviation gasoline down to the fuel trucks at the airfield. Thanks to Orr, his roommate, it was the most luxurious tent in the squadron. Each time Yossarian returned from one of his holidays in the hospital or rest leaves in Rome, he was surprised by some new comfort Orr had installed in his absence – running water, wood-burning fireplace, cement floor. Yossarian had chosen the site, and he and Orr had raised the tent to get her. Orr, who was a grinning pygmy with pilot’s wings and thick, wavy brown hair parted in the middle, furnished all the knowledge, while Yossarian, who was taller, stronger, broader, and faster, did most of the work. Just the two of them lived there, although the tent was big enough for six. When summer came, Orr rolled up the side flaps to allow a breeze that never blew to flush away the air baking inside.
