VENTNOR – Mayor Tim Kriebel, who serves as Commissioner of Public Safety, administered the oath of office Thursday, May 8 to newly appointed Police Chief Joseph Wootton. Wootton replaces Joseph Fussner, who retired May 1 following a 28-year career in the Ventnor City Police Department. Kriebel also promoted two officers to the rank of captain.
The meeting room was filled with family and friends, and many members of the Police and Fire departments lined the back and sides of the walls in support for their fellow comrades.
Wootton began his law enforcement career in 1996 as a Class I Officer with the Ventnor City Police Department, and left to become a corrections officer at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. He worked there starting in 2000 until he returned to Ventnor as a full-time police officer in 2003.
His leadership path in Ventnor began with a promotion to patrol sergeant in 2012. He then attended the West Point Command and Leadership Program in 2014. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2015 and took on the role of administrative lieutenant in 2020, overseeing training, Internal Affairs, and the department’s reaccreditation with the NJ Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
He was promoted to captain in January 2022, bringing more than two decades of dedication, experience and professionalism to the department.
Louis Cabo takes the oath of office of captain in the Ventnor City Police Department.Louis Kabo and David Gaeckle were promoted to the rank of captain during the swearing-in ceremony. Both men are well qualified according to Civil Service regulations.
David Gaeckle is sworn in as captain in the Ventnor City Police Department, May 8, 2025.In related news, the board also approved a resolution awarding Fussner a $61,629 payout representing unused accumulated time, which he rightfully earned during his years in the police department.
Retirement payouts were also awarded to Firefighter Phillip Boyle in the amount of $55,134, and Firefighter Thomas Grimley in the amount of $58,268.
From left, Ventnor Mayor Tim Kriebel, Capt. David Gaeckle, Chief of Police Joseph Wootton, Capt. Louis Cabo and Commissioner Maria Mento.Copyright Access Network 2025
