Ocean County Detective Facing Sexual Assault Charges Commits Suicide
Body of Det. Sgt. Ronald Velardi found by police in wooded area in Stafford Township
Police early Sunday morning found the body of a detective from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in a wooded area in Stafford in what appears to be a suicide, according to a release from the county prosecutor’s office.
Stafford Township Police discovered the body of Det. Sgt. Ronald Velardi at approximately 3 a.m. in a wooded area off Doc Cramer Drive in Stafford, Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michel Paulhus said in a release. The investigation is still ongoing, but it appears that Velardi, who had been on suspension without pay, took his own life, Paulhus said.
Last summer Velardi was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two underage girls, NJ.com reported in June. Velardi, a Manahawkin resident, was facing four counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of child endangerment, the report said. The charges were still pending at the time of his death, Paulhus said.
On Saturday police received information that spawned the search leading to the discovery of Velardi’s body early Sunday, Paulhus said. Velardi was pronounced dead at 3:10 a.m., Paulhus said.
No additional information regarding Velardi’s death was being released by the prosecutor’s office, Paulhus said.
“Out of respect for the surviving family members, and consistent with the policy of this office, there will be no further statements made by this office about the death of Sgt. Velardi,” Paulhus said in the release.
Audrey Galiardo
4:25 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Condolenses to the family.
Laura Speer
6:33 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
nothing is ever so bad as to take ur own life and leave a family...condolences to the Vilardis family
TaxedenoughinPPB
8:32 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Rip
Beverly Keane Chambers
8:58 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. My husband, John J.Chambers 3rd, died by suicide on April 29. 2003. Det. Ron Velardi was on my husband's case. He was a great help to me and my children. From the first time I met with him and the numerous times after and my many phone calls to him even a year after my husband's death, he never made me feel my questions were unimportant!!! He always took the time to answer them and listen to me!!! He even had said to me, he would always be there for me and my children, even if I had questions years later. I had not spoken to him in many years but I will always be very grateful and thankful to him for his kindness and time and help to me and my children!!! It was very much appreciated!!! May God Bless his family.
clamdigger
11:33 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
This is a tough one to comment on.
First and foremost, condolences to his family and friends.
I have no grand illusions regarding the law enforcment community, I do not put them on a higher plane than any other person or job, but whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty, that is the system we live under.
This man obviously felt he was backed into a corner w/ no means of escape and chose to end things on his terms, no trial, nothing to hold as a means of guilt. Sometimes a person's choices are so private no one will ever have the closure the really need.
May God have mercey on his soul.
Darlene Motto
2:39 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
@Colder, HE WILL!
Gary
6:03 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
Why is it GUILTY.....you will never know, the end
Beverly Keane Chambers
7:37 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
So very true Gary!!!
walt tupycia
6:16 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
police would never do this?Was he set up?
teamster1161
9:44 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
rip brother
Bud Boomer
10:09 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
I feel bad for what this character did to his families name, I have zero remorse for sexual predators, He committed suicide I feel for his family but not him he must have had a lot of guilt weighing him down to end it all, Surely I'll get flamed but I can careless It's my opinion and I'll exercise my freedom of speech nor will I hate on flamers for exercising their freedom of speech!
Charles J. Giles
11:09 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
No matter what he may or may have not done, Suicide is not an option. Condolences to His Family.
Billy Cantrell
6:21 am on Friday, November 18, 2011
WE ARE THE JUDGE,JURY,AND EXECUTIONER OF OUR OWN LIFE'S PATH - AND WE ALONE CHOSE THE PATH WE EACH TAKE.......
Owen Truitt
4:58 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
I have not known Ron for many years; probably since 1990 or so. I do not know if he did or didn't do the crime he was charged with, but his suicide leads me to believe that he was likely guilty of some indiscretion.
The families of the victims will certainly never forgive him, and that I understand. What I want the world to know is that he had some great qualities as well, and in many ways he was a "good man". I hope he is in peace, and I hope the victims can find peace as well.
John B Taxpayer
6:11 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Wow this is like grave digging this article was a year ago.