PARSIPPANY — Patrol Sergeant Ross Cooper was patrolling the area of Parsippany Road at 4:04 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, when he observed a vehicle parked, with its engine running in the parking lot of the Parsippany Elks Lodge, 230 Parsippany Road, at which time he pulled into the parking lot to check on the vehicle.
Patrol Sergeant Cooper approached the vehicle and observed the driver, later identified as William Makowitz, 72, Sparta, sitting in the driver’s seat with his head tilted back. Makowitz a former Parsippany Deputy Chief retired in 2006 from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.
Makowitz receives an annual pension of $102,523.
Makowitz was appointed deputy chief in April 2001, but his promotion wasn’t officially recognized by the state Department of Personnel until 2004.
Patrol Sergeant Cooper was able wake Mr. Makowitz after a few attempts and speak to him.
After a brief investigation, Mr. Makowitz was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters.
He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Failure to Submit to Breath Testing. Mr. Makowitz was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
