Nicholas J. Magarelli served in the United States Air Force from 1992 to 1996 as an aerial delivery rigger. After attending basic training and technical training, Nicholas was assigned to the 58th Special Operations Support Squadron based at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
During his service, Nicholas and his unit were awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He also received an Air Force Achievement Medal for meritorious service rendered in Central and South America during the War on Drugs. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
After his service, Nicholas returned to Fair Lawn, New Jersey and decided to dedicate himself to his hometown. On August 21, 1995, he joined the Fair Lawn Auxiliary Police Department as an Auxiliary Police Officer. His duties included assisting the Police Department, as a volunteer, with traffic, court security, large event security, and patrolling the borough. In 2006, Nicholas was appointed as the Chief of the Fair Lawn Auxiliary Police and held the position until his retirement on February 21, 2018 after 22 years of service.
Currently, Nicholas serves as the Chief of Staff to the Fair Lawn Borough Manager and as the Director of Veterans Affairs for the Borough of Fair Lawn. He is very involved with the veteran community both in Fair Lawn and throughout Bergen County. During his tenure, he has organized the borough’s annual outdoor veteran fairs and the borough’s military & veteran banner program, which places photos and branch information on banners located throughout the main thoroughfares to honor local veterans. He also created the veteran street sign program, which places a sign on the streets of the childhood homes of the 47 Fair Lawn residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The sign contains their name, combat theatre, and date of death.
Outside of work, Nicholas volunteers with the Fair Lawn’s Office of Emergency Management. He is also the Service Officer for American Legion Post 171, a member of the Fair Lawn Veterans Council, and a current member of the Fair Lawn Arts Council.
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