Hurricane Sandy devastated communities throughout New Jersey, with much of the most devastating destruction occurring in coastal communities. In Ocean County alone, 40,000 buildings were damaged by the storm’s winds and floodwaters, and the county suffered nearly half the damage recorded throughout New Jersey, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The local law enforcement response from agencies throughout the state to this natural disaster and its aftereffects was nothing short of heroic. While it is not possible to recount all of their stories, a few examples of their efforts, and the collective efforts of local law enforcement leaders through the agency of their State Police Chiefs Association, will give just a small but representative example of the work done to safeguard the public by local law enforcement during this unprecedented event in New Jersey.