A Fair Haven Rescue Squad ambulance carries Fire Chief Shaun Foley from the scene of his apparent suicide attempt in Rumson Sunday night. Below, Foley in early 2008.
No charges have yet been filed against Fair Haven Fire Chief Shaun Foley following an accident and apparent suicide attempt that brought a phalanx of rescuers to the Oceanic Bridge in Rumson Sunday evening, according to Rumson Police Chief Ricky Tobias.
A search-and-rescue operation that entailed three helicopters and a team of divers resulted in Foley being fished safely out of the dark waters of the Navesink River after about 45 minutes, Tobias tells redbankgreen.
Foley, who is also a police dispatcher and special officer in the Rumson police department, is reported to be in fair condition at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune and is expected to be released this afternoon, Tobias says.
Onlookers lined a portion of the Oceanic Bridge to watch the rescue operation.
Foley’s rescue ended a series of events that began shortly before 6p, when he allegedly crashed his fire chief’s vehicle into a telephone pole on the 90 block of East River Road, not far from borough hall. He then fled the scene on foot, Tobias said.
Nearby police were called in to help find the driver in an expanded search, Tobias said. Shortly thereafter, Little Silver Patrolman Gregory Oliva spotted a man who turned out to be Foley on the west side of the Oceanic Bridge, just north of the center bascule span, on the Middletown side. There is no sidewalk on that side of the bridge.
The bridge is three-quarters to a mile from the accident scene, Tobias said.
Tobias said Oliva tried to talk Foley into his vehicle, but Foley jumped over the bridge’s west railing into the river.
A call for mutual aid and assistance from elsewhere brought in the Fair Haven fire company’s dive team and helicopters from the Coast Guard, the state police and Monmouth County, among numerous other agencies, Tobias said.
“He was in the water, and we didn’t know who could make it here first,” Tobias said.
Police closed the bridge to traffic, and there were soon so many fire trucks and other large vehicles that exceeded the bridge’s temporary three-ton weight limit that some of them had to be moved off the span and others spaced so as to not stress the bascule, he said. The limit effectively bans trucks.
Foley was found about 300 yards west of the bridge by the dive team and others after about 45 minutes, Tobias said. he had apparently been carried on an incoming tide, he said.
Foley, a longtime Fair Haven resident, is 27 years old. He was hired by the Rumson police department in 2005, Tobias said.
Charges are pending, Tobias said.
What a circus…too many vehicles on a weight limited bridge. That epotimizes this whole incident.
I have one thing to say…charge him, and make him pay. I think the suicide attempt is a try to explain away his actions so they take it easy on him…plain and simple, he was trying to escape what he had done.
Charge him. AND make him pay for everything, including the damaged or wrecked chief’s vehicle, and the pole.
But sadly, he has the badge, so they will just slap his wrist.
That’s all I say, go ahead, attack me for my view….it’s what has to be done.
Hey “Skull”,did it ever occur to you that this man may have problems that led him to this?
Hey ‘me’, it’s 100%, absolutely positively certain this man has problems. We all do, but does that make it alright? He risked everyone’s life on the road last night. If it is true that he had problems that led him to do this, why should it be an innocent bystander’s problem too? Explain that! Does taking down the rest of the World make it better. NO!
Let me tell you a little story. I knew someone pretty well, that did pretty much the same thing as this guy did. Except he paid for it with his life by driving down Route 18 the wrong way. He ironically got into trouble 12 years before when he was 18, drinking driving and led police on a chase and crashed, and barely surived that. Everybody thought in the 12 years that passed, he had straigtened out, yet these same friends would go out and drink with him to excess and enable his problem.
What I am saying is, this guy and all his little cronies blogging on this site should be damn happy he lived…and man up and be responsible. Instead of attacking everyone and excusing his behavior.
He himself should pay his debt to society for last night’s fiasco, both money and answer charges in the court. And his friends should support and assist him. Because if you dont, and make excuses for him, you are doing him zero service. And lets just hope that the next time, some innocent person does not get dragged down with him.
Some of the most pained by this event besides Shaun’s family and friends, are his piers and co-workers.
My heart goes out to all the people who help these two towns everyday. From the Police to the Fire,and EMS.
Hold your head high for the jobs you do and the service you provide to us.
Sorry that your comrad has fallen, but he is alive ,and did not harm any others.( Thank God) People like SKULL will never understand your calling.
Poor guy.. If that was my brother, son, father.. whatever the reason.. I am happy to know that rumson and surrounding communities went all out to help him before judging him.. Shame on people.. this is a human being who has a problem and knowing what he would face chose to end his life.. peace
Skull, Get a life. It’s not all conspiracy theories and thin blue lines. Foley screwed up, big time, and he’s going to pay for it. For some reason, you’re on here railing against the entire system because of the actions of one man.
And I have yet to hear a confirmation that alcohol was involved. A lot of assumptions from someone who’s extent of knowledge of the incident is from listening to a scanner (seriously? On a Sunday night? Nothing better to do?) and this site.
So get off your high horse, shut off the computer, and go find something useful to do with yourself because you are doing absolutely no good to anyone anonymously spouting off about something you know very little of.
This is this guys SECOND crash in the cheif car. Both times he was drunk.Fiest time it was covered up. This time He was drinking at Murry Macgregors in Rumson. Left the bar crashed on a straight road, flead and then jumped…He jumped to get away and not to die. He was VERY DRUNK!!! and didn’t know what he was doing not realizing he could die…this is a local drinking thing, Sundayfootball think not anyth8ing else. he is a good kid. Just a dumb ass
Oh Cookie, look who’s talking about ‘nothing’ better to do.
FYI, as I explained to one of your cronies on here before who called me a ‘criminal’ for having a scanner (I did not realize having a scanner was a crime),I dont know why I explain myself to people like you, but I turned on the scanner after my house was buzzed by a helicopter and the emergency procession to the hospital came by. So, no I dont sit around listening all day. I was in fact decorating the house for Christmas. I have the scanner for weather alerts and when something is going on around my neighborhood that is disturbing, and this needless to say was disturbing.
I just dont understand you people and your hush hush, it’s none of your business attitude. The police and local authorities would take alot of this kind of ‘conspiracy’ speculation off of themselves if they were open about it.
And YES, it IS my damn business when I go over that bridge often as I do, and to think I could’ve been smacked into by someone as irresponsible as this dude. Pathetic. Sorry, that’s America, we have public roads, and to use them requires some accountabilty. Want to do yourself in on your own time, in your own house…well that’s your prerogative….Bingham Ave is not the place. Get a clue.
It is nice to see the support this guy is getting, but if he had left his Sunday Night Football drinking party at Murry Macgregors and killed somebody, he would have been more than a dumbass, he would have been a murderer.
Interesting fisherman joe….and I see his friends with their attitudes and attacks on anyone thinking this kid did wrong…well, they must be dumb asses of the same proportion.
I just hope someone gets him the help, tosses his license away, whatever it takes before some dies.
According to the APP, 16 different agencies responded to this incident. 16?
How many responded to the report of a gun at RBR a couple weeks back? 2,3?
Good thing the bridge didn’t crumble.
Nice try, Enraged.
Hey, everybody, redbankgreenman has to go cover a council meeting. So there’ll be no moderator here for a while. Please, go have a nice supper, and when you come back, no more name-calling, OK?
Thanks,
John T. Ward
redbankgreenman
No one has come on here and defended Foley’s actions. Friends and family have expressed concern and support for a kid who made a big mistake and will now suffer the consequences.
Skull, what would your friends and family say about you if you found yourself in some sort of unfortunate position? Never made a mistake? It’s not avoiding accountability or providing excuses, it’s supporting a friend in need. If you can’t relate to that, Skull, then I feel bad for you as well.
Okay, as crazy as this story sounds, this man is an amazing person. He is not getting off because of his connections, most of the things that he has worked for will be lost as a result of last night.
People make mistakes. It was Fair Haven’s mistake to cover up the first accident and not address Foley’s problems when they first presented themselves. It was Shaun’s mistake for getting behind the wheel TWICE knowing he was over the limit. The bottom line is, everyone is alive. There is NO WAY that this will just go away, no one is covering anything. Shaun has hurt himself in countless ways, but you all need to shut your mouths and quit acting so high and mighty. You must have never made one mistake in your life right?
He’s an alcoholic. He may not have been able to face that until now, but that is the reality of the situation. Now, the people around him need to help him get his head on straight so he can try to rebuild.
Those people that continue to say he’s getting off easy, I assure you he is not. He lost his job, his license, his reputation, his self respect, and anything else he has built over the past 27 years. I’m not saying that he didn’t commit wrong, because he clearly has in many ways, but you don’t need to attack the guy. He will pay for what he has done..for the rest of his life he’s going to feel the effects of this incident. I just pray his friends stand by him when he tries to make changes, as this will involve LESS time at the bars and firehouse, seeing as he is clearly not healthy.
Tomato Face,
Just to be clear, there was no report of a gun at RBR. There was some trespassing, and all the suspects were captured in a couple of minutes. No lives were in danger. (There was apparently a text message passing on a rumor of a gun, but the text message didn’t go to the police, and if it had, the police officer on the scene knew there was no gun.)
In this case, a life was in danger. 16 seems like a lot of agencies, but if it had been my loved one in the Navesink at night in November, I’d have wanted all available resources focused on the rescue.
And I’d have been hoping that the dolphins would show up to lend a hand (or a flipper).
Nice Post Kate, very true and well written. Prayers sent to Shaun and and his family and no, I don’t know him. Nice work by all the responders. God Bless.
Considering Thanksgiving is just a few days away, maybe all those passing judgment should read this definition.
Thesaurus: empathetic
Cognizant of and comprehending the needs, feelings, problems, and views of others: empathic, feeling, sympathetic, understanding.
Tomtato Face:
Only a few cops showed up at the report of a gun at RBR.
Probably because they know their fellow officer assigned to RBR always brings his gun to work.
So, Girl, a Fire Chief/police officer that wrecks a car, (twice) runs from the scene of an accident (twice?)and jumps off a bridge, DOESN’T have issues?
My prayers are with this young man. I hope he gets the help that he needs.
I agree with “Girl.” Halfacre is in no position to discuss another’s “issues.” Halfacre is sleezy!
He chose the wrong bridge, this kid did the same thing in high school, cops found him hiding in the trunk……what a joke. This kid needs jail, ASAP.
Halfacre says the town supports this “kid” with a drinking problem, a badge and a gun, and you are going after halfacre? Smart move.
Bravo Kate!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Good luck, Shaun. I am praying for you and your family. Things will get better, but please please don’t drink and drive anymore.
Dan and Kevin,
Someone has stolen my true identity. I would not ask such stupid questions although, I probably would have brought up how many emergency vehicles does it take to collapse the bridge. I like to make statements, after all, I pretty much know everything about everything.
Empathy? Support? What BS.
This guy might have been the town rescue guy during the day, but on Sunday nights he’s out drinking and driving, putting the public at risk.
Yes, he has issues, yes he should get help, but I should have empathy for someone that could have killed me or a loved one?
Nope, sorry.
I would like to know where all of his loving supporters were when this 30 year old “kid” was getting S#1+ faced then getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. And I ask, where are you going to be when he tries to do it again? Home safely tucked away? While this repeat offender drunk driver is out mowing down somebody kid? Or somebody’s mother?
I will never have empathy for a drunk driver, no matter how nice of a guy he may be…
Happy Thanksgiving,
I personally, am grateful that I wasn’t killed by a drunk driver this past Sunday night….
Estimado Shaun,
Me alegra saber que va a estar bien y le deseo una pronta recuperación. Estas personas no entienden lo que es amar a la cerveza y el fútbol el domingo como lo que hacemos. No se desespere cuando yo y mis amigos son arrestados por manejar borracho vamos a Carolina del Norte y obtener nuevas licencias de conducir. Me alegra saber que se zambulló en el agua para limpiarse de todos los pecados. Usted está ahora en una mejor persona. La próxima vez que te veo, las cervezas están en mí. La gente como usted y me meto en problemas por estas cosas triviales, mientras que el alcalde de McCheese corre personas mayores y no pasa nada. Dígale al alcalde de su ciudad para mantener la boca cerrada y la próxima vez no fuera usted a la prensa como lo hizo. Si lo hace otra vez vamos a la revuelta en el nombre de Rastafari. Sólo porque usted se estrelló 2 coches jefe no significa que usted es un mal conductor. Quiero decir que podría pasarle a cualquiera. Si usted necesita un trabajo para ayudar a pagar todos estos costes adicionales, te puedo conseguir un trabajo en uno de los restaurantes locales con mis amigos de México y luego bebemos gota hasta que después del trabajo. Ok te parece?
I will Translate for my Mexican friend
Dear Shaun,
I’m glad that will be fine and I wish him a speedy recovery. These people do not understand what it is to love beer and football on Sunday as we do. Do not despair when I and my friends are arrested for driving drunk going to North Carolina and get new driver’s licenses. I’m glad that plunged into the water to cleanse all sins. You are now a better person. The next time I see the beers are on me. People like you and I get in trouble for these trivial things, while Mayor McCheese runs people over and nothing happens. Tell the mayor of his city to keep your mouth shut and next time you were not the press as he did. If he does it again we will revolt in the name of Rastafarian. Just because you 2 cars crashed head does not mean that you are a bad driver. I mean that could happen to anyone. If you need a job to help pay all these extra costs, you can get a job in one of the local restaurants with my friends in Mexico and then drop drink until after work. Ok you think?
I heard he was a really big Dolphin fan and wanted to join them down in the Navesink River.
Is it true it was low tide and he was only in up to his knees?
Slow night in dispatch?
He’s just another drunk driver, period.
What are the mandatory penalties for drunk driving?
If it is true that he had an accident while driving the fire department’s vehicle before while DUI, what was he charged with and why is he still putting the Borough at risk with access to the car? Does the chief have carte blanche with the fire department’s vehicle to drive any old time as in a perk that comes with the position or is it supposed to be used on related business only?
He could have killed us all.
To his buddies that he was drinking with: Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
How does a 27 year old become Fire Chief? FH doesn’t have anyone more qualified?
I heard he won all of the drinking games down at the fire house as well as being the best pool shooter; thus, they had no choice but to make him chief.
I am shocked by the vitriol on both sides of this “discussion”. I, for one, am thankful that so many selflessly came to his aid and thankful that no one came to harm.
I am not in the Fair Haven Fire Department but I am quite familiar with it… so here are some things I have observed:
The manpower involved with this rescue is no different than with any other rescue. Several years ago there was a lost soul who drove into the river in Red Bank. Several communities, including Fair Haven, responded. Last year there was a water rescue in Little Silver; again, several communities responded. This is what a community does when it comes to saving a life. To suggest that there is preferential treatment here is insulting.
While it does not excuse his actions of last night, please consider that Mr. Foley gave a significant amount of his personal time as a volunteer to support the Fair Haven community. The act of becoming a firefighter and maintaining that certification requires many hundreds of hours of training; an officer in the FHFD spends countless hours in support of the organization. In the FHFD Mr. Foley has been very active in progressing from 2nd Lieutenant to Chief. So, Mr. Foley has been here for this community. I think we, as a community, need to be here for Mr. Foley.
Mr. Foley will, undoubtedly, have to answer for his actions. If the claims of this being related to drinking are true, perhaps Mr. Foley can also bring this back to the youth of community that he serves and use this as a real example of the perils of drinking and driving.
How is it that there is a bar at the fire house??? What if there is a fire?? The firemen get on the truck drunk to go save lives??? I feel bad for this kid….he and his friends need to stop drinking so much. Did they ever consider what it is doing to their livers??? If you keep pounding your body with beer three to four times a week you are bound to develop some kind of problems.
How? - you beat me to it. Twenty seven and an alcoholic– is there some basic sort of vetting process? I have a hard time believeing no one else on the force knew he has a drinking problem. They made him a chief?
This reinforces the worst stereotypes about volunteer forces.
What is the liability story for Murray’s or wherever he was drinking? Sounds to me like some bartenders/management may need to spend some time with the local authorities, not the Rumson or FH PDs but completely unbiased agencies. With regards to our young man in trouble, these same authorities need to treat this as a DUI, leaving the scene, avoiding arrest, etc. and not a “friend of the family” who needs a hug. This man is a criminal. He tried to kill himself by throwing himself off a 25ft bridge? And this is the person who we trust to manage our Fire Department? We all need to stop pretending to believe that story. He needs to step up, admit his guilt to ALL charges, pay his fines, go to prison and most of all be man and grown up.
I can tell you from personal experience with those who have issues with substance abuse that family and community support is essential, so is jail time. He is not the victim. Lets hope that the entire community learns from this. Not just Shaun.
In response to Girl, I agree that Halfacre could have used other words when commenting on this man.
i am just glad i left Vals and went the other way home with my wife and two kids in the car. We left around the same time as this jackass. if this happened and was covered up once before, it is just another black eye on our public servants.
I believe the key reason everyone who feels Shaun will be receiving special treatment and favors is, quite simply, because IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN NEW JERSEY. Take a look around you, read the news, listen to the radio…and then imagine how much corruption and insider wrist-slapping is NOT being reported. It’s no wonder people assume the worst. It’s the old celebrity treatment, and us John and Jane Q. Publics have every right to feel the way we do…that if it were one of US in poor, troubled Shaun’s position, we’d hardly be afforded the same attention, affection and forgiveness.
Laura in NJ: Again, with the speculation…how is he getting special treatment? He left the scene in cuffs. I am quite certain that he will be charged with all the laws he broke. Where is the special treatment? I don’t follow your statement.
RBGreenReader,
That’s what I tell the cops when they pull me over in the evening after an accident. I have also tried that the pole jumped in front of my car as well. He should say he was rushing to a fire and when he went to go put the lights on he took his eye off the road and hit the pole. He then decided to run to the fire but was a faster swimmer so he then decided to swim to the fire. He also should say just because I was in a bar all day doesn’t mean I was drinking. And just because I was wearing my team jersey for a game that started at 1pm doesn’t mean I got to the bar before the game started. All these jerks making these foolish assumptions is ridiculous.
Hmmmmmmm was he charged the last time he broke those very same laws, RBGreenReader?
Think he’ll be charged for committing the crime in a borough-owned vehicle?
Suppose he’ll be asked to reimburse the borough for the damage to the vehicle?
Wonder if he’ll be charged to replace/repair the telephone pole?
Think he’ll be sent a bill for police, fire and EMT overtime?
How about for the search and rescue divers? Coast Guard? County agtencies? State Police?
You may be “quite certain he’ll be charged,” but I’m thinking…probably not.
And aside from the criminal charges, I’m guessing the total tab (including damaged property, labor to repair, and local, county, state AND federal salaries/OT on a Sunday) could run into the several hundreds of thousands of dollars. How colossally irresponsible of someone who should know much, much better.
I wish the best for Shaun, and I hope he gets his life back on track. He has served the community well, both as a paid officer of the law and as a volunteer.
But, there are two sets of laws in our area. One exists for cops and firemen, and the other exists for the rest of us. It’s the dirty little truth around here and everyone knows it. We all see our local volunteer firemen and police officers (not all, but many) abuse alcohol in our local bars and drive home and no one ever says anything except behind closed doors. The hypocrisy is really disgusting. A regular citizen loses his/her license for 7 months minimum along with fines, insurance surcharges, court fees and lawyer expenses, but many of these guys act like the laws don’t apply to them. The firehouses are basically private bars. Throw the book at everyone that tiptoes around the line, but cover up and whitewash the actions of your compadres…
I hate to sound anti-cop or anti-fireman because I completely respect and appreciate what they do, but this double-standard has to stop. Two sets of rules obviously isn’t working.
Mental illness is not a joke, nor to be taken lightly. Like any other illness, the patient is not responsible for his/her actions anymore than if they had a stroke or heart attack. That is why we call it “mental” illness. The mind does not work as designed; often it’s broken, misfired and shattered. We need to understand mental illness so much more; it’s a hidden disease which we need to bring light to, whereas, we might help those afflicted with this often hidden, secret and “shameful” medical problem which is so misunderstood. If this young man ran his car into a pole, then jumped from a bridge, then almost certainly he is in need of medical assessment, diagnoses, treatment and management.
This is completely out of hand.
I urge Red Bank Green to take down all comments related to this volatile situation and please try to only report the facts. Nothing positive will result from the sentiments, of either side, being expressed here.
Shut it down. It’s the right thing to do.
Heres the thing. I am a firefighter in Monmouth County and was actively involved in the rescue for the Chief. I didnt know who it was until after we docked. I would acted/responded the same either way… Yes the water was at low tide and not much more above 4 ft. but you have to imagine the impact from that height. And as hard as I find it to believe, it is coming to light this was not a suicide attempt. This was a way to allude the police. I believe he told the prosecutors office he did not want to have to “punch Greg in the face.” Greg as in Gregory Oliva, the LSPD officer and alleged friend who is a RBFD fireman and was talking to him on the bridge. Do you really think for two seconds he’d be d/ced from JSUMC less then 24 hours post a serious “suicide attempt.” That kind of behavior gets you a few days on a psych ward at the very least.
The entire situation is really sad. Sad for Rumson PD, sad for Fair Haven fire, sad for his family and friends, sad for the profession of fire/police everywhere.
The slander on here is outrageous. All you firefighter haters- although I never wish such ill on even an ant farm, maybe your house will catch fire or you’ll be in a wreck and need fire assistance. I will still help you the same way I would if I didn’t know you’d posted these comments but really? Look in the mirror. I am sure you have some flaws which would preclude you from passing such judgments. This guy really messed but up you stand by family. Firefighting is a brotherhood. Do I support what he did- not a chance in hell however we can’t feed him to the wolves as you all are insinuating. He probably should have never been given a second chief’s car but we can’t change the past can we? With the story the hot topic throughout the state, there is no way this will be covered up. How would you even think that to be possible?! Look at Corzine’s wreck- he still got ticketed.. Foley needs to come forward with what he did, tell us the real story and apologize to all due such. Make a bad situation better- reach out to high school students and show them what can happen. 18 year olds can defiantly relate to a 27 year old better then there preaching 50 year old parents. Something so real is a reality check. If his activism prevents ONE kid from getting behind the wheel after a drink and killing a car full of peers don’t you think that is worth it?
Stop- look in the mirror. You still think it’s fair to pass judgment? THAT my friends, THAT is what you call hypocrisy.
Good morning skull I found you! You should not post from work.
whacker: Nasty as some of the comments are, people expect sober volunteers to respond. If there was a call, would this Chief have driven there, in the Chief’s car, drunk as a skunk? What about the comments that he previously crashed a department vehicle, which went unreported & undisciplined? What should the public make of that?
Oh and by the Enraged, I am in the software industry,…..just a tad smarter than you for sure…
the guy is a jackass, period and needs to do some hard time for this. Lot’s of us have problems but don’t get whacked, crash and jump off a bridge.
Hey Laura; to suggest that emergency rescuers pick and choose who they save is ridiculous! Do you really think that if you jumped off the bridge there would not be the same response??!! Maybe you should test your claims!!! Obviously you have never been close to anyone in this area of work or you wouldn’t make comments like you did, they don’t discriminate!
Bluelight…yes there would be a response if an average joe jumped but we all know it would not be at the same scale/level as it would for “one your own”. We all know it and have seen it many times so please stop pretending it doesn’t happen
Has anyone seen this pole down? I did.. right after passing the rumson bridge, on my way to dinner at McGregors.. it was laying down in the middle of the street..on River Road.. the pole comeing down alone could have killed someone just walking or driving… I can’t believe he could bring this pole down and walk away much less run and jump in river..
JD; Im sorry, but I just cant agree with you.
Whackersunite, I think a majority of these comments are basically trying to point out that this was a drunk driving accident and that the punishment should fit the crime. A lot of the posts even said that they are not firefighter haters.
Maybe it’s the volunteers that need to take a look in the mirror. How many times have people driven their cars (either on their own time or responding to an emergency) when they have had too much to drink? How many times have they driven the fire trucks and ambulances when they have had even 1 drink?
Yes it’s a brotherhood and they need to stick together and support each other, just as any other group should. But don’t ignore the situation. Support is also getting the individual the help they need while owning up to what they did.
If you need to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice, then you need to stay clean 24/7. If you’re not, then don’t respond until you are.
Just because you are volunteer does not mean you get a free pass on acting responsibly and professionally.
Amen Takealook.
I am surprised that he wasn’t drinking at one of the well stocked bars located IN one of the local firehouses. Its not secret that every fire house has a bar. One town near me, Little Silver, just fixed their barroom up to look like Ashes. I heard it cost over $200,000.00 for the remodel. There are even classes of membership that do not require the member to ever fight a fire. You can join as a social member and just drink.
Everyone that keeps clamoring about, “He wears a gun!” Listen up. Dispatchers DO NOT wear guns. Are not authorized to wear guns and are not trained to wear guns. Special Officers, depending on their training, my, or may not wear guns. Enough of the speculation as to weither he wears a gun, or not. It dosen’t matter. If he was driving while intoxicated something should be done. No one and I mean no one should be above the law.
For those of you taking shots at the volunteer system, you are probably the same ones who cry about taxes. Think about what it would cost you in tax increases if you had to have paid services for fire and first aid.
Not tying this point to the discussion about the incident.
Yes and think about the tax savings if we did not have the corrupt politicians in NJ either.
It’s not the volunteer system that is the issue. It’s the bad eggs who seem to cloud it for everyone else! Just like the Priest corruption scandals..nobody should take down the Church for it…but for whatever reason there are some abuses, which unfortunately tarnished the image overall.
Reality is, it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone else.And the double standard of the law is ridiculous. A family member, now deceased, was a local PD 20 years ago. His wife told me several accidents he had drunk with the police car, and it was swept under..just got lucky no one ever killed or injured.
20 years ago, the roads were far less crowded than now. Now the implications of your actions can have much wider impact.
I am asking, can we all maybe look just maybe another inch or so beyond our own noses, and consider your fellow person? You do not need to kiss anyone’s butt…..but basic courtesy…to not be so selfish and drive while drunk? Or text behind the wheel? Or whatever it maybe. If we all showed just an ounce of respect, the World would go much smoother.
And Enraged, I dont care, you are nothing but a bully bag of hot air. Go kick the cat. You probably do.
A prayer to those who use a bridge jump to solve problems in their lives. I’m sorry like hell for this kid’s troubles but it is what it is: another drunk behind the wheel of 5000 lbs of steel.
Why would you PUNCH SEXY PANTS Oliva? Oh how that man could jump ? I would Jump right into his arms>>>>
Is this a script from ‘Rescue Me’?
27 years old is NOT A KID!!!!!
Just crawl out of your cave Enraged? 3 pm in the afternoon on a Tues, sounds about right for you. FYI, threaten me all you want, I said nothing wrong here my man. Nothing. You are the one tossing threats around, threatening me…read the article today on APP about that, how someone is getting subpoened for making threats via a blog. It’s serious business ‘puppydog’.
Here’s the thing- I NEVER once said in my post he should not be punished. In fact I argued how he could be “punished” and create productive change in the world. Teach youth the perils of drinking and the consequences- be “living proof” as they say… I did not suggest a “get out of jail free” pass at any time and would be opposed to such.
Also, please do not tell me I need to look in the mirror. I have been a part of the fire/EMS sector for five years and NEVER once gotten into borough vehicles in response to and emergency even after having one drink. I know better then that. Towns have neighboring towns cover for them when they are having parties or events where members are anticipated to drink/be unavailable. I think you are very wrongly mistaken in accusing all volunteers of drinking and driving based on one persons actions. I will not deny the stereotype that firefighters drink because its true. You drink as I do. Its not a crime until you decide to put others in harms way. If you can sleep at night after seeing a families residence burn to the ground, or even have to pull a corpse of a child from such without “blowing off steam” then please email me for an application. We drink and socialize with one another on occasion to be able to do what we do to serve you. But I can honestly say that I have NEVER responded to a call with an ounce of alcohol in my system nor have I ever knowingly responded with those who have. I am not and will not be apart of that. I argue that those making some of these outrageous and outlandish comments really don’t know what these departments are all about… You say that “firehouses are basically bars” well that’s “basically” not true to use wordage you understand… Who comes to your house on the FIRE TRUCKS to deliver gifts for the holidays dressed as Santa- that would be your local volunteers. Who gives the community fire truck rides to your kids? Who visits you kids schools to teach them about fire safety? Who, time and again, sponsor events to bring the community together? Who leaves there family at the Thanksgiving table to help you and yours? Who gets up at 3am to do the same? ITS NOT YOU!!! I am not looking for applaud and praise because we do this kind of stuff because we love to do. We don’t do it to drink. You should be asahmed to categorize such a special group of people as those who are always drunk. I can’t say that Chief would not have responded to a call that night because I dont know him or what was going through his head- NONE of us do or probably ever will. I hope and pray he wouldnt and he would allow his other perfectly able bodied officers to handle the call. But I can say the fire service is comprised primarily of decent, giving people who only wish to serve there communities and do not deserve your over the top stereotypes.
Thanks Skull Crusher. I think I am going to cry.
But they say, you have to look into the abyss first before you can get help. That’s where Skull is at right now. And I think you hit the nail on the head….this incident has helped bring me to realize my own problems. Seriously all, Skull is getting himself help, NOW.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you too Skull Crusher, Enraged, and anyone else I’ve offended here.
Hi, Bluelight. You said that I suggested “that emergency rescuers pick and choose who they save.” I said no such thing. You will be hard pressed to point out where I said that.
What I DID say is that I believe the “in crowd” (people on the gov’t payroll and their relatives and hangers-on) get the “celebrity treatment” in terms of how their crimes are handled (covered up, slaps on the wrist instead of appropriate punishment). Our Tomato Face friend will gladly tell you more about that.
And in this case, what do you know? The crime was repeated…because THE OFFENDER GOT OFF EASY THE FIRST TIME.
The unofficial NJ system of favoritism and cronyism just doesn’t work. Laws and consquences exist for a reason…and not just to generate revenue from those of us who don’t happen to be gov’t workers or related to them. Mr. Foley is beyond lucky in this case. He could easily have taken a life. Or two.
As to your other remark, my grandfather was a firefighter: FDNY Ladder 114, thank you very much. I could not be more proud of his service to the city.
Add Laura to the list of people who need a date.
Laura, Skull is available!
You guys are killing me today. I especially love our 13-year-old commentators. Cracking me up!
Laura…you clearly DO NOT live in Fair Haven. If you did, you would already know that the community that exists in this town, exists because of that fire company. Those members are all volunteers, and for you to even suggest that they PICK AND CHOOSE which calls to respond to is PATHETIC. They do not SELECTIVELY help people or answer calls. Say what you want about Shaun and this accident, but before you speak out against the fire company, KNOW what you are talking about. We have one of the BEST response times in the state, and most of the time have to answer the calls for Red Bank seeing as they never have enough members to answer.
Weigh in, throw your words around, think what you want, but you are completely misinformed if you think that the first aiders and firemen show preference. How about you come live on my street and see how many of them respond to calls at 3 or 4 in the morning when they have work the next day at 9. This is VOLUNTEER for these people, and they still commit 100% to each call.
Yes, Shaun messed up. Yes, he was a member of the fire company. And YES, he has responded to countless calls throughout Fair Haven and neighboring towns. He made an incredibly stupid mistake, but that does NOT demerit what he has committed to this community. Hate on the issue, but watch what you are saying with regards to this fire company, because your slander is inappropriate and quite frankly extremely close minded.
Kate,
Just to be clear, are you saying that most fire calls in Red Bank are answered by the FHFD, because none of the 6 companies in Red Bank have enough members to respond?
No, I am saying that many times Fair Haven does respond with mutual aid for Red Bank. Not just Red Bank, other surrounding towns as well. The point I was trying to make, which I can see is not clear, is that Fair Haven responders don’t selectively choose which calls to respond to. They reach out to fellow towns the same way those towns did the night of the accident. It’s not selective for any of these towns. That was what I was trying to say.
Throw away the key! DRUNK! NO DRINKING AND DRIVING! RUMSON AND FAIR HAVEN PLAYING COVER UP!
Laura in NJ,
Thanks for asking me to put my 2 cents in. Yes there is a certain former mayor in a neighboring town who has a very red face like a Tomato. It has been rumored that he likes to drink and drive and has been known to hit other cars and people. He seems to be able to continue on as if nothing ever happened. It is good to be friends with the Governor but now that Governor has been replaced, he probably won’t get away with it for at least the next four years. Better call a cab for the next few years, Tomato Benz.
No entiendo ese odio entre la gente de Fair Haven. Mis amigos mexicanos se ríen de lo tontos que todos lo son. Creo que todos necesitamos a fumar un poco de oro Alcapulco, y beber un poco de tequila y cerveza. Una vez que lo hace todo se parecerá mucho mejor. Tenemos que celebrar que el Sr. Foley sigue vivo. Le sobreviven varios accidentes. Él es el Salvador. Tenemos que alabar al Señor y el canto Rastafari. Porque el que combate y fuera de control, vive para luchar otro día. La paz, y tratar de no ahogarse con el pavo de Acción de Gracias.
Having served his community as a VOLUNTEER fireman, does not mitigate the fact that Mr. Foley, is a habitual drunk driver. You make a mistake only once. The second time, it’s not a mistake. It’s a blatant disregard for life.
So Please, if you want to defend the work of the courageous, selfless volunteers that keep our communities safe, then go right ahead. I will stand beside you and applaud.
BUT, whatever Mr. Foley accomplished as a fireman, is erased by his actions in getting behind the wheel of a car, while inebriated. So please, do not try to use his past service as a vehicle to mitigate his latest transgression.
If a man fathers 12 children, but commits a murder, does he get credit for creating 12 lives, while only taking 1? No he doesn’t. I would say that Mr. Foley and all of Fair Haven are fortunate that the only injured party, so far, is Mr. Foley himself. Thank god, that he didn’t kill anyone…
To Ed Ucacion,
There are two kinds of idiots in this world.
In one fell swoop, you have managed to be both……
Great job…
You cracked me up..
Mi amigo Bill,
Muchas gracias. Espero que usted y su familia tengan una muy Feliz Acción de Gracias y no beber demasiado. Recuerde a cantar Rastafari su bendición, mientras que alimentos y todo estará bien.
Hi, Kate. I will repeat what I said to Bluelight, since you clearly did not read it.
Hi, Bluelight. You said that I suggested “that emergency rescuers pick and choose who they save.” I said no such thing. You will be hard pressed to point out where I said that.
Just heard on local radio that he’s
pleading not guilty to 4 counts. Surprise anyone? I guess he thinks that he got a way with it once, he can do it again.
There are so many questions to be answered that I doubt we will ever know the truth. If he wasn’t drunk, why did he leave the scene? If he didn’t believe that he had really screwed up (or was drunk), why did he jump off the bridge? Did they do a blood test at Jersey Shore? Will the Boro of FH continue to insure the vehicles from the fire co? And if so, what is the cost going to be to the taxpayer?
I wish that I could trust the police from these towns to do an actual unbiased investigation and not try and cover up for a fellow officer. Unfortunately, we all know from experience that is not the case.
Pretty sorryful isn’t it?
I’m sure the PD will do their job as far as the investigation goes. Even if they wanted to cover it up, how could they with the amount of publicity this has received. I’m surprised that this has not been turned over to the prosecuter’s office to handle, since it is one of their own. Does it really surprise you that he is planning on pleading not guilty? Even an accused murderer with witnesses pleads not guilty.
Shawn I wish you well, I’m sure you will get help.
BUT! This problum needs to be shaired with the Fair Haven Fire Dept.they were awere of your problum. This is the second time in month’s you wrecked a town vehicle and it was put under the rug.That helps no one.
Stick with the skull name fhresident or just go as Buttonwood.