September 2022 Honorees | Women in Uniform
Marcela Arriola
Police Lieutenant
"A woman who walks with God will always reach her destination."
In August 2018, after achieving the highest test score of all eligible Officers, I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant making me the first Hispanic Female Sergeant in the Department's history.
In June 2019 I gave birth for the first time to a healthy baby girl. I continued my studies and in March 2020 was promoted to Lieutenant, first Hispanic Female/Mother. I am currently assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit.
Yohara Barrios
A.B.C Detective, Elizabeth Police Dept.
"Behind my badge is a heart like yours."
Yohara began her career with the Elizabeth Police Department in 1988 as a 911 Operator. After working in the field for 12 years, she became a Police Officer and worked in the Patrol Division until 2009 when she became a D.A.R.E. Officer and taught in many schools throughout the city. She enjoys seeing past students who are now adults and remember her by saying " Hello Officer Yogi, you were my D.A.R.E. Officer". In 2012 she was promoted to the rank of Detective where she currently still is . Her responsibilities as detective include investigating crimes against property and she is also the Alcohol Beverage Control Detective for the city. Her career has allowed her to meet people from all walks of life and assist them in any way possible. She is also a mother of two young men, her oldest followed her footsteps and became an Elizabeth Police Officer in 2014 and her youngest is a freshman in high school. If given the chance to re do her life, she says that she would 100% choose this career all over again with no regrets.
Romina Cannon
Elizabeth Police Dept.
Lilian Caparruva
Assistant Superintendent of Weights & Measures, City of Elizabeth
"Take a chance and step out of your comfort zone because you never know what you are capable of accomplishing."
Lilian Ramos-Caparruva is a passionate woman with determination who hopes to be an inspiration to women of all ages. She loves to give back and serve her community! As a professional she has demonstrated excellent organizational and community leadership working alongside law enforcement officers as an Assistant Superintendent of NJ Weights and Measures.
Lilian was Born in Queens, NY and was raised by her grandparents in Elizabeth, NJ. She is the oldest of five siblings. She is a loving mother and wife and somehow finds the time to attend college while caring for her family. She has a degree in Business Management and is now currently in the process of completing a degree in Political Science and Psychology at Kean University.
Mrs. Caparruva is the Assistant Superintendent of Weights and Measures in the City of Elizabeth, and has been with the city for 21 years, protecting and serving the consumers of NJ. She is also an adjunct instructor at the New Jersey State office of Weights and Measures for precious metals.
She is currently the 1st female President for the New Jersey Weights and Measures Association since it was established in 1911, and the first female Assistant Superintendent for Weights and Measures in the State. She has paved the way for other women in a male dominated field.
She is one of the founding members of the Puerto Rican Alliance of Elizabeth and sat on the Executive board for five years. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County for the past six years. She believes in putting God first and everything else will fall into its place.
Adrienne Conti
Senior Investigator, Union County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit
Officer Adrienne Conti is a senior investigator in the Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit. Officer Conti has significant specialized training and expertise in all aspects of crime scene processing and identification, having learned and cultivated techniques from the foremost experts in the nation. Officer Conti has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Marywood University and is a graduate of the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Investigation Course. Officer Conti holds membership in the International Association for Identification, the preeminent professional trade association. In addition to field work, Officer Conti is a physical training instructor at the John Stamler Police Academy, leading training for both recruit and in-service courses.
Sergeant Adrian Garner
Supervisor of the Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit, Union County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Adrian Garner is the supervisor of the Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit. Sergeant Gardner has significant specialized training and expertise in all aspects of crime scene processing and identification, having learned and cultivated techniques from the foremost experts in the nation. Sergeant Gardner has a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and she is a graduate of the prestigious National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee, which is the top facility in the national for criminal forensic investigation. She also holds membership in the International Association for Identification (IAI), the preeminent professional trade association and is the current 3rd Vice President to the New Jersey Division of the IAI. Sgt Gardner is a certified Latent Print Examiner, one of three investigators in New Jersey to hold that distinction. In addition to field work, Sergeant Garner is an instructor at the John Stamler Police Academy, leading training for both recruit and in-service courses on all aspects of crime scene processing and finger print examinations.
Sergeant Tara Halpin
Supervisor of the Sheriff's Office Bureau of Identification, Union County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Tara Halpin is the supervisor of the Sheriff's Office Bureau of Identification. Sergeant Halpin has significant specialized training and expertise in all aspects of crime scene processing and identification, having learned and cultivated techniques from the foremost experts in the nation. Sergeant Halpin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and she is a graduate of the prestigious National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee, which is the top facility in the national for criminal forensic investigation. She also holds membership in the International Association for Identification, the preeminent professional trade association. In addition to field work, Sergeant Halpin is an instructor at the John Stamler Police Academy, leading training for both recruit and in-service courses on all aspects of crime scene processing, firearms training and first responder medical training.
Officer Vanessa Lang
Crime Scene Unit, Union County Sheriff's Office
Officer Vanessa Lang has been employed by the Union County Sheriff’s Office since December 2016 and is a four year member of the Crime Scene Unit. The Crime Scene Unit assists police agencies throughout Union County with crime scene processing, evidence processing, latent print examinations and footwear comparisons. They respond to over 600 incidents annually, processing all major crime scenes within Union County. She has significant specialized training and expertise in all aspects of crime scene processing and identification, having learned and cultivated techniques from the foremost experts in the nation including the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Investigation Course. She holds membership in the International Association for Identification, the preeminent professional trade association. Officer Lang is additionally trained as an Emergency Medical Technician. She is the recipient of two Unit Citation Awards.
Julia Masciandaro
Firefighter, Elizabeth Fire Department
Julia joined the Elizabeth Fire Department on 1/4/2021 after finishing #33 out of over 400 applicants. She completed 5 months of rigorous & mental training completing State Certified Firefighter I & Firefighter II courses.
Officer Erin Pentz
Crime Scene Unit, Union County Sheriff's Office
Officer Erin Pentz began her career with the Sheriff’s Office in September 2018. Sher has been assigned to the Crime Scene Unit for approximately one year. Officer Pentz has a Bachelor of History degree from Wagner College and holds membership in the International Association for Identification, the preeminent professional trade association. The Crime Scene Unit assists police agencies throughout Union County with crime scene processing, evidence processing, latent print examinations and footwear comparisons. They respond to over 600 incidents annually, processing all major crime scenes within Union County.
Katherine Rodriguez
EMT, Elizabeth Fire Department
"Don't let life obstacles get in the way"
I have been working for the Elizabeth Fire Department EMS Division for over 16 years where I have acted in the supervisory position many times and obtained numerous awards. I obtained my CPR and Nursing Aide certificates while in High School, started to volunteer at nursing homes and in the hospital caring for sick people. While volunteering at Elizabeth General hospital I was offered a job opportunity as an Emergency Room
technician. Here I worked for two years and gained my experience before I knew I wanted to be an EMT. I went on to go to school at Union County College to obtain my license. In 2005 I was offered a job opportunity to work for the City of Elizabeth Ambulance service where I continue to strive and work today. My passion for this job comes from interacting with the people and saving lives.
Name: Sheena Spense
Title: Firefighter, Elizabeth Fire Department
Quote: NA
First African American Woman Fire Fighter hired in the City of Elizabeth on 1/8/18 finishing 94th of nearly 500 applicants. Sheena is a 38-year old married mother of 3 as well as a surgical technician for the past 14years.
Officer Shannon Thomas
Crime Scene Unit, Union County Sheriff's Office
Officer Shannon Thomas started with the Sheriff’s Office in April 2019; she is the most junior member of the Crime Scene Unit, assigned since May 2021. Prior to her hire, Officer Thomas earned a Bachelor of Family and Child Studies degree from Montclair State University. Officer Thomas balances continued rigorous training and fieldwork since her appointment to the Unit, having completed over 200 hours of specialized training in the last six months. Officer Thomas’ training will continue for the next 12-18 months.
Lauren Wigfall
RN, EMS Supervisor, Elizabeth Fire Department
“All things are possible with God, resilience, dedication, and perseverance!” Don’t give up!
I began volunteering as a Cadet with EMS in 1993 and later joined the Elizabeth EMS/Ambulance Service Bureau (ASB) family in 2001. I continued my career as an EMT with the Elizabeth Fire Department. Currently, I am in my 20 th year of service. My longtime commitment and dedication to the division and to the Citizens of Elizabeth have led me to be a better EMT, citizen, and mother to my
daughter. I later furthered my education in healthcare and obtained my degree as a Registered Nurse in 2020. In August 2021, I became the first female African American Provisional Supervisor of the Emergency Medical Services Division.