New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan will retire at the end of the year, concluding a distinguished 31-year career that spanned multiple administrations, major statewide crises, and some of the most defining moments in New Jersey’s recent history. His departure will take effect December 31, 2025. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has not yet announced who she will appoint to succeed him.
Governor Phil Murphy praised Callahan’s leadership and longevity, calling him “the very essence of a career public servant.”
“For more than three decades, he served the people of New Jersey with an unwavering commitment to the core values of the State Police: Honor, Duty, and Fidelity,” Murphy said in a statement. “He has been an indispensable member of my Cabinet… and a trusted colleague and dear friend.”
Callahan, who first joined the force in 1995, rose through the ranks to become Acting Superintendent in 2017 under Governor Chris Christie before being formally confirmed under Murphy. He played central roles in major statewide operations—including recovery efforts after Superstorm Sandy, New Jersey’s response to COVID-19, and large-scale emergency management initiatives such as Super Bowl XLVIII.
In announcing his retirement, Callahan emphasized pride in the division’s accomplishments and gratitude toward the troopers he led.
“I leave this role with deep pride in the work we have accomplished and with an unwavering respect for the men and women who serve our communities every day,” Callahan said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime… Transitions in leadership are part of public service, and I accept this change with gratitude.”
Callahan, a Warren County resident, follows in the footsteps of his father, retired Major Mick Callahan, making the announcement particularly poignant for a family deeply rooted in the State Police tradition.
“To each and every Jersey trooper,” Callahan said in closing, “stay safe out there and God bless you all.”