NJ Sheriffs honor their “Jersey Girls”

One's an established star in national law enforcement, the other one's still on the ascent. Both are Garden Staters, through and through. In Lakehurst, Sheriffs from all over the state singled out their "Jersey Girls" for doing them proud.

Stacia Hylton, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service and Sabrina Capriotti, the Vice-National Youth Representative of Law Enforcement Exploring, were given Leadership Awards in Lakehurst by the Sheriff's Association of New Jersey.

Hylton, a Tinton Falls native, and Capriotti, a Howell teen, received Leadership Awards from the Association in a June 4 gathering.

Director Hylton explained that she had actually retired after 30 years, and returned to take the lead post at the request of President Barack Obama.

She says that law enforcement has been her passion since the age of seven. "It's really a spiritual calling," she observed, and that led her to sign up while still in college, at age 19.

The Marshals Service connects her to a long and historic law-and-order continuum. "The Marshals Service is a bit of Americana,"she said. "We've been there for everything, from settling the West, apprehending fleeing slaves and protecting African-Americans' civil rights, the Pullman strikes, the Whiskey Rebellion, protection of abortion clinics, the Oklahoma City bombing. Whenever there's been a unique set of challenges for the country, we've been a part of taking care of it."

But beyond that, "I fell in love with their mission, the protection of the judicial process, the apprehension of fugitives from justice," she said.

After retirement, and upon her return, Hylton gained an appreciation of the dedication that drives the Marshals Service. "I cannot believe these men and women. They work seven days a week, 24 hours a day. They place themselves in harm's way. They'd probably do it for nothing," she marveled.

She has a kindred spirit in Sabrina Capriotti, who at age 18 finds no challenge in the field too great. Her current post is the latest step up in a Law Enforcement Exploring career that's already three years deep.

Sabrina's also an early convert, having chosen her career path after attending a Howell PAL Camp while a fifth-grader. She says that Exploring broadens her chances to engage in public service.

"I've always wanted to help people," she said. "I knew that I wanted to continue it. This has been the perfect opportunity for me to do that, something that takes a lot of passion to pursue."

Sabrina also credits her brother, Colts Neck PD Patrolman Alfred Capriotti, with inspiring and encouraging her along the way.

So, how does it feel to hold a Leadership Award from statewide law enforcement leaders, at an age when some teens are happy just to get through final exams?

Sabrina lit up. "It's an incredible feeling. This is the career that I hope to pursue. Just the fact that I'll be able to spend the rest of my life doing something that I love so much is an incredible feeling."

The encouragement she receives from her Howell Police mentors, she added, reinforces her will to succeed and reminds her that she's part of a long and honorable blue line. "If I can just help one person, in the way that they helped me - that would be my life goal."