William “Bill” Hunt, who recently retired as Warren County’s Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, was honored by the Board of County Commissioners for his four decades of service.

“Thank you for your service in law enforcement and for helping us be prepared for whatever comes our way. We truly appreciate it,” Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla told Hunt as the commissioners presented him with a proclamation recognizing his lengthy career.

Hunt held the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator position in the county Public Safety Department since 2011, and previously served as the County Emergency Management Planner from 2008-2011 and as the Domestic Preparedness Planner from 2005-2008. Prior to his employment with Warren County, he spent more than 25 years with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office where he was an Investigator, Lieutenant, Detective Captain, and Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.

“Over 40 years of public safety experience, that’s unbelievable,” Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski said.

“Law enforcement and public safety is not an easy job, especially in today’s environment,” Sarnoski noted, adding, “Bill has done it admirably for well over 40 years.” To have amassed such a distinguished record, with awards and recognition over the years is “a testimony to who he is as a person and what he’s done for our community,” Sarnoski said.

Commissioner James R. Kern III quipped that in his former role as a mayor, Bill Hunt’s name was one that municipal officials “never wanted to see, either something bad was happening or you were preparing for something bad.” Kern said that Hunt worked to prepare Warren County for disasters, weather events, crime and more, making sure the county was ready “for the unthinkable.”

County Public Safety Director Frank Wheatley said that Hunt assembled a great team to serve the county, adding, “I would put our emergency management program against any other in the state.”

“It’s been an honor and a privilege serving everyone in Warren County,” said Hunt, who was accompanied by his wife, Debbie, to the County Commissioners meeting for the proclamation presentation.

PHOTO: L-R Warren County Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla, William Hunt, Debbie Hunt, Commissioner James R. Kern III.