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Camden County

William Fontanez
Undersheriff

 


Undersheriff William Fontanez was appointed Undersheriff in January 2007. He started his career in 1977 as a Correction's Officer and was subsequently promoted to Sheriff’s Officer. He graduated from the Camden City Police Academy in May of 1983.

During Undersheriff Fontanez’s tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, he served in numerous bureaus and units including; three years as a general duty Patrol Officer, sixteen years with the Special Investigations Bureau, where he served as an Acting Lieutenant and Commander of the Tactical and Hostage Negotiation Teams. As a certified police academy and SWAT instructor, Undersheriff Fontanez was recognized for his instructional achievements. As the supervisor of the Missing Persons Unit, he was responsible for locating missing persons within Camden County, assisting agencies nationwide and internationally. Undersheriff Fontanez was instrumental in creating the Camden County Sheriff’s Office website where he created a section dedicated to Megan's Law Fugitives. In addition to creating the website, he produced and lectured a program on “Kids Safety on the Internet, A Guide for Parents” for organizations and other Law Enforcement Agencies.

Undersheriff was also detached to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Marshal Service and the New Jersey State Police, respectively where he had experience with the Narcotics Task Force and supervising the translation of wiretapping proceedings.

In 2003, he was appointed Chief Warrant Officer, where his responsibilities were to assist the Sheriff in all departmental areas as assigned. He established and maintained cooperative working relationships between the warrant staff and other units; served as a liaison with other agencies, legal advisors and law enforcement officials.

In July 3, 2006, Undersheriff Fontanez was appointed Acting Sheriff of Camden County by the Governor of New Jersey, where he was in charge of the Sheriff’s Office, which employs more than 200 uniformed officers and civilians.

Undersheriff Fontanez helped establish within the Camden County Sheriff’s Office the Project Lifesaver Program, which is the reliable rapid-response program aiding victims and families suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and other related disorders such as Downs Syndrome and Autism.

Undersheriff Fontanez was a former advisory board member of the Camden County Neighborhood Renaissance, Camden Weed and Seed Committee, Camden County Tech Prep Board and the Steering Committee for Camden Safer Cities Initiative, Also, was a former advisory board member and help establish the Camden Youth Soccer Club, in addition to numerous other professional, fraternal and civic organizations.

Some of Undersheriff Fontanez’s accomplishments over the years have been acknowledged with over twenty-five Official Commendation Awards, numerous Certificates of Achievement and Meritorious Service Awards. In addition, Undersheriff Fontanez has received Recognition Awards from the Philadelphia Police Department. He was also awarded Sheriff’s Officer of the Month and Camden County Employee of the Month.

In 2005, he had the distinction of being nominated as one of nine Prominent Hispanics recognized and honored for his efforts in the Law Enforcement field in the community of Camden County. He has received citations from New Jersey Assemblyman Joseph Roberts, Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz, and a Commendation from Camden City Council. Additionally, he received Proclamations from Acting Governor Richard Codey, Camden City Mayor Gwendolyn Faison and the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Also in 2005, he was featured and acknowledged by the Courier Post as one of the 25 Hispanics recognized as leading members of the Latin community, in southern New Jersey. His selection arose as a result of nominations submitted by members of the southern New Jersey area.

In 1989, he was featured in a segment of the syndicated show called “Crimewatch Tonight” where he was honored on TV in the “America’s Finest” segment of the broadcast.

Undersheriff Fontanez comes from a large family with deep community roots. He’s married and has four children. He is a Commissioner for the Gloucester Township Housing Authority and possesses a New Jersey Real Estate license. He has been studying and teaching the art of Tang Soo Do/Tae Kwon Do for over twenty-five years and has attained a master degree in Black Belt. Undersheriff Fontanez’s hobbies include golf, baseball and basketball.


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