The man who jumped into the Navesink River from the Oceanic Bridge in an apparent suicide attempt Sunday night was Shaun Foley, chief of the volunteer fire department in neighboring Fair Haven, that town’s mayor tells redbankgreen.
Mayor Mike Halfacre confirmed the identity after repeated anonymous postings on this site said that the victim was the fire chief.
“This is hard,” Halfacre said. Foley is “a good kid. He’s got some issues. He’s got the town’s full support.”
Halfacre said Foley, who is under 30 years old and single, was “physically fine” and at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune for observation.
Meantime, officers and other members of the fire department were said to be meeting at the firehouse on River Road to discuss the situation.
A Rumson police dispatcher said no information about the case would be available until Monday morning.
He’s a good guy no matter what anyone has to say!
Shaun: Thanks for your many years of service to the community. I wish you well in these difficult times. Lean on your friends and family.
anyone know the circumstances here?
I do but everytime i type it RED BANK GREEN removes it. Must be a family member
IFI: If you want to gossip about this, put your name/phone number on the board so that people can contact you to get your “inside scoop.”
Be well, Shaun. You’ll get through this.
Gossip Tell RED BANK GREEN NOT TO POST IT IF YOU DO NOT WANT GOSSIP ABOUT IT
This is my cousin… he is loved dearly, and I thank you for all the well wishes!
good luck Shaun and get a good lawyer issues are dui and leaving the scene of an accident - at least no one innocent was killed
Please get this young man some professional help. Don’t forget what he has done for many of you in the course of his volunteer duties.
If you heard the police scanner last night….calls for county air support, all available resources, closure of River Road, escort of the emergency transport to Jersey Shore, Little Silver FD called to RBR to set up a landing zone, Red Bank Dive team….you’d a thought there was a plane crash or the bridge collapsed.
All this for one man….well now it makes sense, it was one of their own. If it was you or me, they’d presumed you dead, and responded after finishing Sun dinner and the Jets games was over.
While at it, why didn’t they just toss this man a parade as he made it through all the local towns on his way to Jersey Shore?
All that aside, shame on this man. First, that bridge is far too low to succeed at what he purportedly was trying to do to himself. Second, he of all people being a chief should know the mayhem and resources his action would probably require. Last night would not have been a good time to have a medical emergency in Fair haven, Rumson, Little Silver. All resources were trained on this.
I say send him the bill for all the resources last night. That’ll teach this person.
And in today’s crisis with NJ’s govt fiscal issues, can we afford this not to be charged to someone dumb enough to do this?
Take offense all fire and police people…I just call it as it is.
be strong Shaun, we love you and wish you all the best.
to those that need to trash people, enjoy your day on your throne posting gossip and in your darkest hour in this life i hope your ignorance is overlooked.
Any truth he was also a police officer. Sounds like good actions for a fire chief / police officer. guess they better update their mental screening of people they hire huh ??
Maybe the first time should have been a warning ?
How quick we are all to defend a wreckless,mentally unstable person who is supposed to be priotecting the public.
Maybe take a step back and see what a danger this person really is. before you jump in and defend his actions. You think this is normal or acceptable than your as crazy as he is.
This is such a sad story, and yet some people try to assert that they have all the answers. Maybe if you put your names on the comments, you could be taken seriously.
Did this have anything to do with the pole that was down at the same time on E River Road in Rumson? My prayers are with this poor man. How bad could he be suffering.
If there was an accident - what happened, where and when? This is not gossip - it’s factual news! Why are there no details on the accident? The person in the car accident is a victim also?
There will be a press release as soon as the coverup is complete.
Some of you people defending this kid need to take a step back and realize what you’re defending. Yeah I’m sure he’s a great kid and all & I wish him the best in these difficult times, but the facts remain. He was drinking at a bar in rumson, got in his car and drunk drove. He hit another vehicle and left the scene of the accident. This kid was both the fire chief of fair haven and a police officer in rumson. It blows my mind that there aren’t more outraged people posting on here. Nothing justifies those actions, & I hope he gets no break from the prosecutors.
Well I am outraged “relax”! This person is supposed to be a role model figure and his actions were cowardly and selfish.
I can guarantee you if it were you or I that drove DWI, caused an accident and left the scene - the papers would have our story headline news already! and people would not be asking for prayers for us!
This kids a joke, he did this in igh school. Cops found him in the trunk. Rumson has a history of hiring screwballs. Kids just laugh at you guys, great example to be setting. This is a joke, Lock this kid up for years and maybe he will learn his lesson.
WOW.
Sometimes I think the comments are better than the original article!
I stand by my first posting, except one addendum. Since then it has come to light (not through any media posting mind you as there seems to be much cover up on this story, but via this man’s supporters who blogged in this morning), that this man was not trying to committ suicide. But that he had an ‘accident’, while driving drunk, and then was proceeding to elude from what he had done by jumping into the water. Which makes sense, of course, it was totally perplexing they were calling this an ‘attempted suicide’, from that bridge? It’s not high enough.
Add to it’s come to light that he’s also a dispatcher for Rumson PD (check NJ public records, he’s listed on the payroll).
What is particularly distressing is that none of this came to light except via reader’s blogging in. Prior to the internet era, all we would know is what the article states, strictly controlled by the authorities. And we have a RIGHT to know….WHY??? Anyone who poses a danger and nuisance to the public like this, we have a right to know about. And that include the almighty cops,etc.
Again, cops and fire people, take offense all you want. You are being watched, and will sooner or later be held accountable like the rest of the public! Yes, you can be heroes. But too often you are on the wrong side of the law.
does the chief have his own car? was he driving it? where was he before the crash? all questions that need to be addressed. while they are at it why dont our leaders look into the budget of the fire dept. heck, while they are investigating why dont the leaders tell us why we have so many more police officers than rumson when our town is much smaller.
We went down E River Road and saw the bridge closed and all the emergency vehicles.. but further down the road was blocked off also with a pole down across the road? did someone hit that? it was so strange that in the same span these two things were happening within 2 blocks
Before u make comments look at urself in the mirror and when it in turn tells u ur perfect then maybe someone will take what u have to say seriously! Shaun is a decent human being who made a mistake. We love you Shaun <3
Rumson has at least 17 cops, FH 12.
Focus instead on this young man and his well being.
Schmucks.
I cannot understand why people insist on inflaming an already sad and difficult situation. Are you so without fault in your lives that you need to better yourselves by being nasty and heartless (not to mention ignorant)? Yes, this is a tragedy on so many levels, but please people, think before you speak.
Gee Mr. Skull,
Sounds like you are one of those type of people who gets off on listening to the police scanner.
The only people I know of, or heard of listening to the police scanner, are emergency responders, and mentally deraged criminals.
I have no dought that what this guy did was wrong and punishable,but at least he has been exposed. You though Mr. Skull, you are the one we should all be worried about.
We dont know who you are, but we know your out there now.
By the way psycho, scanner man, how many times have you ever heard on your scanner No responce from the Emergency Services when they have been called out ?
How many times have you gone by a accident or a fire, and not seen Emergency Services at the scene.
“One of their own”
Your just upset because you can’t pass the physical/mental requirements to become a Emergency Service responder.
Sure, it’s too bad no one threw up the Red flag before this kid got to this point, but it could be worse, he could of been a scanner listener and never have done anything good.
You should try to get off your couch someday and go look what is below that bridge that has taken many lives.
Have a good day “Scannerman”.
We dont know who you are, but we do know your type………..
he didnt hit another car people he hit the pole. how about you all stop bashing him and worry about your own lives. EVERYONE amakes a mistake in life NOONE is PERFECT! as per one of our own… no that would have been done for anyone. little silver FD covered the landing zone because rumson and fair haven fd’s were at the site. the helocopter was called to search. the dive teams were called to search. they were all necessary resources for this accident so stop talking unless you know what your talking about. once we are called we come no matter who it is. thank you all for bashing emergency responders if you wanna talk shit how about you grow a set and JOIN UP and help your community instead of talking shit.
“Perfect People” can have whatever moral opinion they want, but if the you think the same resources would not have been put into service to save you, you are a moron plain and simple. As a matter of fact Shaun Foley would have been one of the ones trying to save your butt. What he did was wrong but he’ll suffer more than you ever will. You’ll probrably move on to some other corporation and water cooler and talk more smack about the people that protect you
FCC,
Your response epitmomizes and prooves every point I made in my post. Truth hurts I guess, does’t it?
Having a scanner makes me no criminal. Makes people like you though paranoid, that we know the kind of nonsense you were pulling last night, trying to cover something up maybe? Relax, I dont listen all the time, as you accused me of being ‘psycho’ enough to do.
I have it for emergency and weather alerts, so I know when the next unstable psycho like last night goes off on a dangerous escapade. I turned it on after I heard the “arse” parade of vehicles going by and the helicopter buzz my house as I was minding my business making dinner. It’s my right to know what is going on, Mr “FCC”, it’s in the air waves you schmuck. Ironic you go by that name.
Come on, get real, all of this for one guy???? You are the one who needs psycho testing. And on that matter, yeah, great job the PD did on screening this guy.
As far as FD/Police, in principle I have no issue whatever. What they do is a vital service. Sometimes it’s their job, which they get PAID for, and should be held accountable for, like it or not. Then there are volunteers, which is awesome. I volunteer for dog rescues,so while I am not running into a burning building (which really, how often does that happen?), I am saving animals and contributing and making a difference. Now I guess a moron like you will call me one of those “animal” crazies.
Just because you volunteer for FD, does not absolve you of having to abide by the law. So just get off your horse you big dumb arse!
It just seems these people have an awful lot of run ins. Would you want this kind of person showing up to a house fire? Driving a borough insured vehicle? Calling in vital dispatch info at PD? Sorry, my answer is no, whether you like it or not.
You epitomize sadly what this country has become. “Oh, he made a mistake, mistakes happen.” This kind of stuff is a little more than a mistake.
Oh by the way tough nuts, you say I hide in anonmymity…you yourself also failed to tell me who or where you are. My bet, you are dumb enough to tell me on reply.
Wow he only hit a pole? Why did he leave the scene then? He probably wouldn’t have even gotten in trouble (being a cop and all) if he just stayed there and called his brothers in blue. I’m sure they would have just called him a tow truck and drove him home. Big mistake on his part.
It’s amazing to me the amount of people who will post obnoxious comments about a situation like this. I’m sure all of you that had something negative to say has been behind the wheel after having a few drinks. You guys are nothing but cowards! Stay strong Shaun.
IM JUST GLAD THE GUY WAS FOUND ALIVE IT WAS NOT A PRETTY SITE HAD FRONTROW SEATS BUT WISHED I WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE I FELL HORRIBLE FOR THE GUY NO ONE SHOULD JUDGE MIND YOUR BACKYARD WORRY ABOUT YOURSELVES THIS SITE IS NOT MAKING IT BETTER FOR FAMILY FRIENDS OR COWORKERS I SAY DONT TURN YOUR COMPUTER ON BE WITH THE PERSON WHO NEEDS YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT AT HIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME MY HEART GOES OUT YO ALL EFFECTED GOD BLESS
Actually “get a life”, that’s where you’re wrong. I said something that you misconstrued as being negative but was simply stating the facts. And I’ve never climbed behind the wheel after having a few too many drinks because I DONT DRUNK DRIVE. I have no sympathy for people that do either, because its one the most selfish and easily-preventable situations people find themselves in.
This message board needs some moderation.
Thank you ‘Relax’. You hit the nail on the head. At least someone here has a clue of reality, as I’ve been bombed with my posts.
You are exactly right. It’s selfish, preventable. And to any of you telling us to ‘mind our own back yard’. Correct, I cannot argue that. One problem is, when you drink and drive, you are on public roads that you must share with the public. SO IT’S NOT JUST MY BACKYARD ANYMORE. Your decision to drive plastered becomes everyone’s problem. Sounds like this guy got lucky, and only took out a pole…and of course took away vital EMS resources from everyone else while they rescued his arse.
This again is the problem these days. ‘Not my fault’, ‘not accountable’, ‘nobody can blame me for my actions’…….the generation of ‘not my fault, ever’…oh, overspent on your mortgage, govt come bail me out. I had no idea, you expect ME to be responsible? Same with the execs…you expected ME to foresee that our reckless behavior could lead to this economic crumble? List goes on and on, and stretches across many aspects of life…but it all comes back to the same problem causing it….lack of accountability.
its nice to see that everyone on here is trying to be so sympathetic over someone doing something completely illegal and that takes hundreds of lives a year yet when there is a political post up they tear the people apart. This guy screwed him self over end of story.
clearly he needs help and not just of the legal nature. this is a very ugly situation and one that can not be taken lightly. i am sure it will though because of all the good buddy back door bs that goes on in our sweet little town. its ugly and no one wants to talk about it but it must be addressed. even if you like listening to scanners (so weak).
Dear Red Bank Green. I will pay $5,000 for the IP adress of Mr Skull who is posting on your site.
WHAT IS THE IP ADDRESS GONNA DO YOU WONT FIND HIM
skull just needs some one on one conversation. 5K think it over.
I only skimmed the comments, but did anyone mention the fact that he hd an accident with a FD vehicle once before… Im sure there were no charges…
Halfacre? what the? Who the? Were you there? Shut the…
what is sad, is that people (on both sides of the issue) will confuse the issues for their own purposes - whatever they might be.
I personally hope this man gets the help that he needs, both physical & emotional. None of us were there, and therefor we should all recognize that there are at LEAST 3 sides to every story. Instead of passing judgment perhaps we should:
- be thankful that he will apparently be ok, and that he did not hurt any other innocent people, or property.
-thank the police, fire, and rescue teams for being prepared to do their job and protect the populace of our local town(s)
- and yes, we should look hard at the legal implications of this individuals actions — apparent dui, leaving the scene, etc. IRRESPECTIVE if he is an officer of the law. We all need to be held accountable for our actions as citizens of these closely aligned towns.
I hope that we can put all the inflammatory stuff aside, NOBODY needs it. Just say a prayer for his well being, and that our local police, fire, rescue continues to get the support they need to be able to respond to emergencies, and yes, that the law is followed and justice is served.
Wish you all a joyous, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving.
RBer were you there both times?
people talk, nothing is ever kept secret.
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
Let me make it clear where Im coming from. Im most concerned for his well being. It is obvious he has some deep seeded problems and its been going on for a long time. I hope now he can get the help he needs.
Sad indeed, but as a public servant he shoud be held to a higher standard. Can you imagine the outrage from the fire and rescue folks if they risked their lives over a regular citizen who crashed their car into a pole and decided to then jump in the river causing the fire and rescue response?
1200 feet of fire hose rber. Damaged cars etc. I know. Talk does get around.Sweep your own floors.
THe kid humped to get away!!! He was drinking with his friends at Murry Macgregor’s He should have been stopped by Bartenders, Friends, managers of bar, but he has a Rumson PD badge and a FFD cheif badge. he was no tring to kill himself just trying to sleep it off at home.
Thanks RBG. Chat with you later skull.
He was drunk the first time he crashed the Cheif car, he was drunk this time as well. He was not trying to kill himself just get away and go home. the truck was parked on the side of the road infront of borough hall. no poll in the road he walk across the bridge to go home through middletown, a cop rolled up on him so he jumped to get away, While wearing his Eli Manning football jersey…to much booz and a long day of football games he is a fool
i guess i should plead not guilty when i see him in court
Hey fake Tomato Face,
Stop stealing my name. Call yourself Tomato Faced or Tomato Face 2 or something like that. You jerk you.
Lock this kid up. Its the only way he will learn. What an asshole, gets bombed drunk in a car that the taxpayers finance and then crashes it? Are you kidding. Who are you people? “he has problems” WHO CARES? Take ownership, he could have killed somebody. Not that hard to pick up the phone and call red bank cab! What a drunk. If this was me, I would be locked up. This kid did the same thing in high school. (they found him sleeping in his trunk). Throw away the key for a couple months. California mad Paris Hilton go to jail for DUI! Teach this moron a lesson.
He can’t be that bad. According to fishermanjoe, he was wearing his Giants jersey. Who could blame him having to go all out with the celebration like that. It’s been like a month and a half since they last won.He had a lot of pent-up frustration from all the losing. On top of that, the game went into overtime and it was a little stressful but that terrible kicker finally got one through. He probably was getting ready to organize a prade with all the other fire trucks. I blame this crash entirely on the Giants lack of being able to put games away like they should.
Hey fishermanjoe, you seem to know an awful lot why dont you identify yourself instead of hiding behind your keyboard.
Alot of accusations about drinking but no proof. And Skull yes it is illegal to divulge any information you here on Public safety freqencies over a scanner or radio receiver. The fine is a minimum 10,000 and up to 6 months in jail. This needs to be put to rest and let the system work it out. Oh and to the person that said if it was other than “one of thier own” you are soreley mistaken my friend.
This has been very entertaining. Thanks to all.
Pat,
There was never a name mantioned over the scanner.
Regardless of all the emotions or lack thereof exhibited in these posts and now (finally) those at Asbury Park Press’ story, I think there is one thing everyone might be able to agree on … and that is that the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office should be called upon to undergo this investigation now before evidence disappears and alliances are made. The local police depts., particularly Rumson and Fair Haven, are too involved. This is an internal matter that caused much distress, cost … and possibly could have cost someone or someones their life(s). Game over.
pat you know nothing remember who is coming to you when you call
This person is not a poor soul, and who cares about is well being.
You should all be glad he didn’t kill somebodies family while he was driving around drunk in a fire chief car.
Guess RPD better update their mental screening policy huh ?
You should all be frightened this person had the authority to carry a gun and field emergency phone calls in your town. yet you defend his actions and worry about his health. Where are your priorities and what are you thinking ??
Maybe wrecking one vehicle while driving drunk should be reason eneough to remove him from any authority position ? just a thought.
FACT IS..DON’T YOU THINK BEING A COP AND A FIRE CHIEF HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO DRIVE DRUNK IN A FIRE VEHICLE AND RUN FROM THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT THAN JUMP OFF A BRIDGE AND HIDE IN THE WATER ? SERIOUSLY. YOU CONDONE THESE ACTIVITIES. RELATIVES OR NOT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THIS GUY IS A LUNATIC.
WAYYYYY
HOW CAN ANYBODY DEFEND SUCH A DANGEROUS PERSON.
TO THINK THAT HE CARRIED A GUN IN OUR TOWN AND WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHAT A DISCRACE.
PERHAPS THESE EMERGENCY SERVICES NEED TO UPDATE THEIR MENTAL SCREENING OF PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY.
REALITY HURTS PEOPLE..BUT IT’S TIME WE LOOK AT OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR AND ASK ” WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE WE TRUST OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OUR FAMILIES TO” ARE THEY REALLY QUALIFIED TO PROTECT US ?
THIS NEEDS TO SERVE AS A WARNING TO ALL OF US. IF NOT WHAT ELSE HAS TO HAPPEN FOR CHANGE TO OCCUR ?
Shaun will have to face what he did. He will pay the consequences and receive help so that this can never happen again. That is why this is “America”, we rehab our citizens that need help. All Americans are entitled to receive help for illnesses. Alcoholism is a treatable illness. The problem is recognizing the illness in the people we love. Why don’t all you “no tolerance” people worry about your own lives and not cast judgment on someone who is now going to receive help. The problem lies with all the rest of the people out there that are in denial and are not receiving help. How dare you bash someone who is loved, someone’s child, friend……The fact remains that Shaun DID NOT HURT ANYONE BUT HIMSELF and now will receive the counseling he requires to once again be a productive human being. No one is trying to cover up anything. Please respect the privacy of family during this holiday season. It is bad enough for them to have to go through this.
If no one is trying to clean up anything, then lets bring up what happened to the OTHER fair haven fire chiefs truck?
Same damn thing except in Fair Haven… drunk, hit a pole and got a ride home by a Fair Haven cop! Maybe we should bring up that one since we are not covering anything up??? They should rename the town FAIRY HAVEN!!!
Can’t believe how much BS goes on there!
do something halfacre
Halfacre will probably not do a thing—for a number of reasons:
#1. He’s running for Congress. His campaign manager probably has duct tape on his mouth and is already sweating bullets.
#2. Last I heard, he was municipal prosecutor in both Rumson and Little Silver and does not want to get involved in anything which might wreak havoc with the townfathers there; after all, Jan. 1 is reorganization and you don’t want to put your annual appointment in jeopardy.
#3. As an attorney himself, if he did sweep something under the carpet, this might not bode well for his professional career.
Throw away the key for a couple of years, this kid is a drunk. Treat him as we would be treated. This IS NOT THE FIRST TIME!
Shaun,you need help I hope you get it.
We all know this is the second Fair Haven truck that belongs to the taxpayers.
The Fair Haven Fire Dept. members shair your problum and should be held acountable they all knew of your drinking problum ( and yet let you drive a stste owned vehicle all the time there are laws prohibiting there actions ).
FH mike
were are you SKULL, i have some good dirt for ya