Community Corner
New RCGC Scholarship Presented to West Deptford Recruit
Deptford Twp. –The Dechen family presented the Lt. Kenneth Dechen Memorial Scholarship to its first recipient, Joshua Kerr, an alternate route West Deptford recruit, at the Gloucester County Police Academy graduation on July 9.
Over the years the family has had a number of fundraisers. The proceeds helped them to create the Rowan College Foundation at Gloucester County scholarship.
The $500 scholarship honors the legacy of Lt. Kenneth Dechen, who served as a West Deptford police officer for 23 years, until his untimely death in October 2000. Throughout his career, he received the Life-Saving Medal awarded by the Gloucester County Chiefs of Police and the Life Saving with Valor medal, as well as other commendations.