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Ralph Froehlich (1930 – July 20, 2014) was a Democratic Party politician elected as sheriff in Union County, New Jersey, who served as the longest-serving sheriff in New Jersey history.[1]
Biography
Ralph Froehlich was born in 1930 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.[2] He graduated from St. Mary of the Assumption High School in 1949.[3] In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman and later a drill instructor until his honorable discharge in 1959.[3]
He was a member of the Elizabeth Police Department for almost twenty years attaining the rank of lieutenant.[3] In 1975, he graduated from Kean College (since renamed as Kean University).[3]
He was first elected sheriff in 1977 despite opposition from party leadership and was told that his refusal to take orders from county party leaders would prevent him from ever getting re-elected. Ultimately, he served for 13 terms over 37 years, before his death.[1]
A resident of Union Township, Union County, New Jersey, Froelich died on July 20, 2014, at the age of 83 of cancer and buried at St. Mary of The Assumption Church.[2][3]
References
- ^ a b Tom Haydon (July 22, 2014). "Ralph Froehlich, longest-serving sheriff in NJ history, was told in 1970s he'd never win re-election". nj.com. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Katie Lannan (July 28, 2014). "Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich remembered at funeral for his dedication, positive influence". nj.com. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Union County Mourns the Passing of Sheriff Ralph Froehlich". July 21, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
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