Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler administers the oath of office to Chief Sheriff’s Officer James Sharkey. Also pictured is his wife Julie, daughter Shannon and son Sean.
Sheriff Eric Scheffler promoted Capt. James Sharkey to the rank of Chief Sheriff’s Officer on New Year’s Day.
Sharkey entered law enforcement in 1997 when he was hired by the Atlantic County Justice Facility. During his tenure there, Sharkey served as both a corrections officer and sergeant.
In 2004, Sharkey was hired by the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office where he was assigned to the Courts and Transportation Unit and then the Fugitive Unit. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2009, to lieutenant in 2012, and elevated to the rank of captain in 2017.
While rising through the ranks, Sharkey was assigned to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Guns, Gangs and Narcotics Task Force, was the Department’s Supervising Firearms Instructor and served as a member of the Atlantic County Emergency Response Team.
Sharkey received a certificate of merit for Exceptional Police Service from PBA local 243, and Honorable Service, Exceptional Service and the Gallantry Star Excellent Arrest awards from the Sheriff’s Office.
Scheffler said Sharkey is one of most knowledgeable and dedicated supervisors he has ever worked
He resides in Linwood with his wife and two children.
