The O’Toole Chronicles: Meet Sheriff Gannon

There are more than one half a million elected officials in the United States, and I recently sat down with one of the most respected and professional of all those 500,000. Let’s have a look.

A few months ago, I was a guest speaker at the annual fundraiser for a Morristown-based food bank, Table of Hope.

On the dais that night were Senator Tony Bucco Jr and Morris County Sheriff, James Gannon.

I have known the Republican senate leader for a while, and I think the world of Senator Bucco and, by all accounts, Senator Bucco represents the present and the future of the Republican Party.

However, on this night, I had this chance opportunity to meet the highest law enforcement officer in Morris County and I was immediately impressed, and I don’t impress easily.  Sheriff Gannon and I hit it off immediately and we made plans to work together on our firm’s annual day of giving at the Table of Hope.

Sheriff Gannon and I agreed to meet in November at the food bank. On that blustery fall day, we arrived to do our service and started the day by unloading three truckloads of donated food supplies. I remember seeing the uniformed Sheriff roll up his sleeves and help move every single package, and even when the cameras disappeared, he continued to sweat the details in that kitchen – how many politicians do we know who put away their game face when the media packs up and leaves? Answer – almost all, but not Sheriff James Michael Gannon.

After that special morning, the sheriff and I made plans to grab a coffee and have a conversation. We soon met up in West Caldwell at the Original House of Pancakes and had a cool, good old-fashioned Jersey breakfast.

I’m a quick study of human beings and I can tell you that I came to appreciate instantly that James is perfectly the most compassionate, focused, driven and intelligent elected official that I’ve met in decades. I know a large statement, but his following Q and A might better support my claim.

Most interesting thing I observed during that breakfast, as we left, I watched from afar as the sheriff walked up to a table where a mom and her special needs son were having a moment. The Sheriff engaged the young man and made him laugh as earnestly engaged the boy and his mom.

There were no cameras, and the Sheriff wasn’t aware that I was watching. It was a beautiful moment, and it told me a lot about Sheriff James Gannon.

I leave you with an interview with this extraordinary public servant and I thank the sheriff for his humility and his quiet and consequential leadership. I don’t want you to think that this a puff piece, so I need to divulge one negative of the morning. Who orders whole wheat pancakes at the greatest pancake house in NJ?? Let’s read on.

What made you want to run for Sheriff?

I had a true desire to go back into the public arena to serve my community. I have had decades of law enforcement and corporate experience and felt qualified and motivated to lead the very proud Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

What have you found out about the job that you didn’t expect?

Job Satisfaction: The role of Sheriff has been much more fulfilling than ever expected. I selected my Command Staff who are all in place still after 8 years. We developed an Intelligence Unit (Morris County Sheriff’s Trends and Analysis Team), a Cold Case Unit, assignment to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Unit, assignment to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, assignment to the NJSP Ballistics Task Force, development of a Special Investigations Unit, development of a Community Outreach and Planning Section (Hope One, Hope Hub, Community Connections , Bigs In Blue etc.), Motorcycle Squad, developed an Inspectional Services Division, absorbed the Morris County Park Police into the new Morris County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, developed an Emergency Service Unit and Hercule Team, UAS (Drone) team, Hope Wing , a Re-Entry Program at the Morris County Correctional Facility and absorbed the Inmate population  from Sussex and Somerset Counties which yields over $6MM annually and other specialties with a decrease in headcount through attrition.

What surprised you most about career professionals?

What has really surprised me about career professionals is the incredible diversity of skills, experiences, and perspectives they bring to the job. No two professionals’ journeys are the same. For example, their language skills and job knowledge skill sets are different. It’s awesome to see how different backgrounds and paths can lead to success in various fields. True professionals adapt to rapidly changing environments.

Do you think we need more confidence in law enforcement officers?

This is an important and nuanced topic. Confidence in law enforcement officers is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring effective community policing. When people have confidence in law enforcement, it helps create a sense of safety and cooperation between the police and the community.

I know that that is a common thought but what I see is the great people in the community and the police working together. What I see are officers who care. They play ball with kids in the neighborhood and at the house of worship. Sometimes these officers are the only available role models for the child. I see men and women who will give their life for people they don’t even know to protect the community they were sworn to protect.

Who are your role models?

I draw inspiration from many remarkable figures, including historical icons, modern thinkers, and individuals who embody values like empathy, curiosity, and innovation.

My late wife– Lisa Mary Schmitt Gannon, RN. So kind and smart. She taught me how to be a good man, father and husband. I miss her greatly.

My daughter – Kate DeSantis. I admire her as a daughter, wife, Mom (just like her very own), teacher and friend. Her Mom was stricken with MS when Kate was very young. Her Mom died when Kate was 20. This is a tragedy. However, her mom was a captive audience in the home and Kate and her mom spent a lot of time together where Kate learned from her mom about Life. I see so much of Kate’s Mom in Kate.

Brother – Kevin Gannon. Kevin is the Family Chairman of the Board. He has the whole package. Smart, tenacious, loving and the most giving man ever. He will outwork anyone. He is the glue in our family.

Mom- Genevieve Lally Gannon- Brilliant and Loving. Epitomized the title, Mom. Always there to listen and “in my corner”.

Dad– Eddie Gannon- Tough, hardworking Irish Cop who taught me the job; the good, the bad and the ugly. He taught us the family motto; when times get tough “Keep Punchin”.

Grandma– Wanda Negelsky Lally- An awesome Polish Grandma who lived in our home. She cooked 3 meals a day and took care of us. She then worked the weekends in the House of Good Shepherd in NYC, caring for young girls with young babies. I learned compassion from Grandma.

How do you balance your professional and personal life?

I am not the very best at this. My family is #1 and my job is #2. I never miss family events but short of that, I love the work that I do and always have. I am terrible at saying “No”. I feel that as a public official, you are a public servant. I get calls every day, around the clock. (I am very appreciative of my lady friend Lisa Santoro who understand this and is so supportive.) They are people that are in distress, crime victims, folks who need help with relatives regarding addiction, people with mental health concerns and the like. When I would tell my late mother about the people who need help, she would say “If not you, who”?

I work 7 days a week. I get up early to check the overnight call-out activity and then have meetings with my staff and the community all day long. I like being busy. The job of Sheriff is not forever. The community has voted for me and entrusted me with an awesome responsibility. I never want to let them down.

What do you love and dislike most about politics?

What I love about politics —

Impact on Society: Politics has the power to implement policies that can improve people’s lives and address pressing issues.

Civic Engagement: Politics encourages citizens to participate in the democratic process, vote, and engage in community activities, promoting a sense of responsibility and involvement.

Relationships- I have met some of the very nicest people in activities throughout Morris County, the state and country.

What I dislike about politics:

Polarization: Politics can sometimes lead to extreme polarization, where people become deeply divided and unwilling to find common ground.

Lack of follow through: I don’t appreciate politicians who say things that they are going to do and don’t do them. Some people have the same platform every year. Politicians need to be held accountable. They should under- promise and over-deliver!