Fanwood Police Officer, Scotch Plains EMT Honored for Dedicated Service

Union County Life is reporting that Fanwood Auxiliary Police Officer Jack Ross and Scotch Plains Rescue Squad EMT Ranee Muirhead were among 30 first responders from New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District honored by Congressman Tom Kean Jr. at his third annual Hometown Heroes event.

Jack Ross has served the Fanwood Police Department for more than 40 years. Residents see him at borough events such as Party in the Park, National Night Out, and the Fanwood 5K Pizza Run held the weekend before the article was published. Ross supervises the crossing guards and makes sure they are well trained, safe, and properly equipped. He has also provided security at the Fanwood court and at Election Day polling places. In 2025, he received the Shield Award, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, which honors people who have made a difference in their community.

Capt. Dan Kranz, officer in charge of the Fanwood Police, said, “His service as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class 2, and now as an Auxiliary Police Officer, has been invaluable to the advancement of the Police Department.”

Ranee Muirhead has spent seven years with the Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad and has answered more than 1,024 calls for help while balancing work and family. She spends more than 50 hours a month on calls and administrative duties. She took on the role of treasurer, where she streamlined the organization’s budgeting and its accounts receivable and accounts payable processes. She was recently trained as a Mental Health Resilience Officer, a role that engages with members and helps identify peers who may be under mental health stress.

Rescue Squad Chief Dan Sullivan said, “Ranee is extremely reliable, is often one of the first crew members to arrive for duty and often assumes responsibility for checking the ambulances and equipment before the other crew members arrive.”

Congressman Kean, a former volunteer firefighter and EMT, said, “My appreciation for first responders is personal. Those experiences taught me firsthand the sacrifices that first responders make every day. I was pleased to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of these brave men and women. Thank you to the first responders in New Jersey and throughout our nation.”

For more Fanwood and Scotch Plains community news, visit Union County Life at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

Who from Fanwood and Scotch Plains was honored?
Fanwood Auxiliary Police Officer Jack Ross and Scotch Plains Rescue Squad EMT Ranee Muirhead were among 30 first responders honored by Congressman Tom Kean Jr.

What did Jack Ross do to earn recognition?
Ross has served the Fanwood Police Department for more than 40 years. He supervises the crossing guards, provides security at the Fanwood court and on Election Day, and received the 2025 Shield Award.

What is Ranee Muirhead’s role with the rescue squad?
Muirhead has been with the Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad for seven years, has answered more than 1,024 calls, serves as treasurer, and was trained as a Mental Health Resilience Officer.

What is the Hometown Heroes event?
It is Congressman Tom Kean Jr.’s annual event honoring first responders across the Seventh Congressional District. This was the third.