MEET SHERIFF JIM GANNON
Following in the footsteps of his father—a decorated NYPD detective—Jim began walking a beat as a patrolman in his hometown of Boonton more than forty years ago. What started as a childhood dream of helping others became a lifetime of service in law enforcement and public safety.
Jim’s record as a proven leader and law enforcement professional is exactly what New Jersey needs. He started out as a patrolman in his hometown of Boonton and Boonton Township; rose to Deputy Chief of Investigations at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and Founder of Morris County’s Cold Case Unit. He graduated from the FBI National Academy and served as a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
On September 11, 2001, Jim led a team of police officers into New York City to assist with the investigation into the 9/11 attacks – establishing a Command Post, interviewing survivors, and deploying Search and Rescue Teams as requested by the NYPD and the FBI. Following that, Jim was assigned to the FBI Evidence Response Team, where he helped to conduct a number of critical search warrants in Passaic and Hudson Counties.
Jim is currently serving his third term as Morris County Sheriff, where he launched the innovative HOPE ONE initiative, saving dozens of lives and helping hundreds of New Jerseyans struggling with addiction find treatment. As Sheriff, Jim also brought together law enforcement, school personnel, and mental health professionals to create the Responsible School Violence Prevention (RSVP) program, setting a new standard for school safety. Jim has also served on the Board of Trustees for the Boy Scouts of America and Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.
Beyond his career in law enforcement, Jim is a proud father and grandfather. He and his late wife, Lisa, who he lost after a brave battle with MS, raised their daughter Kate in Morris County, where she still lives today with her husband Matt. Together, they reside in Morris County, where they are raising Jim’s two grandchildren.
