MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of Veterans Day, several years ago Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp began the annual tradition of recognizing U.S. Military Veterans who serve in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Knapp and his command staff again celebrated Veterans Day with members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office who served in the United States Armed Forces before pursuing a career with the Prosecutor’s Office. Currently, there are (11) members who are U.S. Veterans. The following list identifies each member, and the respective military branch in which they served:
| Chief of Staff Daniel Pfeiffer | U.S. Army |
| Captain Robert McNally | U.S. Marines |
| Lieutenant Harrison Dillard | U.S. Army |
| Detective Supervisor Michael Gomez | U.S. Army |
| Detective Jimmy Atoche | U.S. Army |
| Detective Joseph Ellis | U.S. Army |
| Detective Muhammad Thomas | U.S. Marines |
| Assistant Prosecutor Julian Hill | U.S. Army |
| Assistant Prosecutor Robert Preziosi | U.S. Army |
| Director Al Imperiale | U.S. Army |
| Agent John Jespersen | U.S. Marines |
Appointed to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2017, Detective Joseph Ellis and Detective Muhammad Thomas were also recognized as being the newest members to be added to the Veteran’s Honor Roll. The following information reflects their service accomplishments.
Detective Joseph Ellis
July 2008 – December 2008
Basic Training and Military Police Training
Fort Lenardwood, Missouri
December 2008 – February 2010
Reassigned to 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, NY. Served as a Patrol Officer and Crew
Serve Gunner
February 2010 – March 2011
Deployed 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
Afghanistan. Served as a Gunner/ Driver
March 2011- May 2012
Redeployed to 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Fort Drum, NY
Served as a Patrol Officer and Crew Serve Gunner
May 2012- July 2013
Deployed to 719th Military Intelligence Battalion
Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Security Officer
Awards Received
Combat Action Badge
Drivers Badge
Four Army Commendation Medals
One Army Achievement Medal
NJ Distinguished Service Award
Detective Muhammad Thomas
January 1999 – April 1999
Marine Corps Recruit Training Battalion
Paris Island, South Carolina
May 1999 – June 1999
Marine Corps School of Infantry
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
June 1999 – June 2001
Third Battalion, First Marine Division.
Assigned to 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
October 2000 USS Cole Bombing Advance Security
June 2001 – January 2002
First Battalion, First Marine Division
Assigned to the 15 Marine Expeditionary Unit
Combat Missions in Afghanistan / Northern Pakistan
January 2002 – August 2003
Third Battalion, First Marine Division
October 2002
Operation Eager Mace Falylaka Island Attack
January 2003 – August 2003
Combat Operations in Iraq
Battle of Nasiriyah
“The members of the Prosecutor’s Office who selflessly sacrificed for our Nation by serving in our armed forces have fortunately selected a career path serving the citizens of Morris County. It gives me great honor to recognize each of them for their past and current service to our citizens”, said Prosecutor Knapp.
