"Passaic County Undersheriff Sworn in as Acting Sheriff Following Sheriff's Tragic Death"

Gary Giardina, the Executive Undersheriff, was sworn in as acting sheriff of Passaic County following the tragic death of former Sheriff Richard Berdnik, who fatally shot himself. Giardina, with over 45 years of law enforcement experience, is working to ensure departmental continuity and access to grief counseling for staff. The state's conflicting laws regarding vacancies in the Sheriff's Office will see Giardina serving until a successor is elected in the next general election. The department is also dealing with pending layoffs and the recent arrest of three corrections officers in connection with an alleged assault on a handcuffed inmate.