After eight years without a local firearms training facility, the Bayonne Police Department now has a new place to train. The department officially opened its new shooting range during a dedication ceremony attended by city officials, police leaders, and the family of Sgt. James Shea—the officer the range is named after.
The new facility is located in Bayonne, ending the department’s long dependence on other cities for mandatory firearms training. Before this it was costly and inconvenient; officers had to travel twice a year, first to Jersey City and later to Union Township, to meet state firearms certification requirements.
- The Bayonne Police Department opened a new firearms training range after eight years without a local facility.
- The range is named in honor of Sgt. James Shea, who died in the line of duty in 1969, is with his family attending the dedication ceremony.
- The modern facility supports rifle training, accommodates seven officers at once, and includes updated features like locker rooms and HVAC systems.
A Look Back at the Old Range and the Road to Rebuilding
The original range was built in the 1960s at the upper level of 16th Street Park. It was shut down eight years ago because it no longer met environmental standards. According to retired Detective Vinnie Lobue, who once served as range master, the original range had been built by Bayonne police officers with help from local businesses.
Since the closure, the department struggled to replace the old range. Financial problems, construction delays, and the COVID-19 pandemic made things worse. Construction materials were delayed due to supply chain issues, and the city faced increased costs in transporting officers to outside locations.
During the ceremony, Public Safety Director Robert Kubert said the path to completing the new range had been “a tough, long road.” He explained that paying to train officers in other towns had become “very expensive.”
A New Facility with Modern Upgrades
Now, the department finally has a new range that meets today’s safety and environmental standards. Range master Sgt. Matthew McGillis described the facility as “state-of-the-art.” He explained that the new range is much larger than the old one and can now support rifle training. It also allows up to seven officers to train at the same time.
Additional updates include a larger office, locker rooms, and shower facilities. The building has a new roof and an updated HVAC system, both of which are necessary for proper ventilation in a firearms training environment.
Mayor Jimmy Davis, a retired Bayonne police captain, also spoke at the event. He reminded officers that Sgt. James Shea gave his life in service to the city. Looking at the new range, Davis told officers, “Respect it, use it, keep it.”
Sgt. Shea died in the line of duty in 1969. The range is named in his honor, just as the original one was. His wife, Mary Ann Shea, his daughter, Jennifer Shea Tarantino, and his grandson, Ken Tarantino, attended the ceremony. The dedication was emotional and meaningful, not only for the family but for the entire police department.
Team Effort Made the Project Possible
Chief Robert Geisler thanked many people who helped complete the project. In addition to Mayor Davis and the City Council, he mentioned Assistant City Attorney and former Business Administrator Donna Russo, Chief Financial Officer Donna Mauer, Public Works Director Tom Cotter, Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Edoardo “Junior” Ferrante, and Alphonse Major, the mayor’s aide and a retired police captain.
Geisler also praised Sgt. McGillis and his team, the engineers, and the construction workers who helped build the facility. Director Kubert also recognized their hard work and thanked the Bayonne Finance Department for its support.
The event ended with a prayer from Rev. John Fencik, the city’s former 9-1-1 Coordinator. His blessing marked the official opening of the new range.
