Chief David J. Harkins Sr., Chief of Police of the Gloucester Township Police Department and a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Camden, will receive Catholic Charities’ Saint John Neumann Award at its 20th annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony Oct. 24 in Atlantic City.
The award, which acknowledges faithful and exemplary service to South Jersey’s residents, is “an opportunity to recognize how Chief Harkins cares for the vulnerable in our community,” noted Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, executive director of Catholic Charities of South Jersey, who added that his longtime career as a public servant and clergyman “has made an impact on so many.”
A Gloucester Township police officer since 1995, Chief Harkins was appointed to his current position in 2019. He has helped lead the Gloucester Township Police Department’s Family Resource Center, which aids at-risk youth and their families, and has coordinated its Special Olympics Torch Run.
As well, he is currently a permanent deacon at Holy Child Parish, Runnemede; a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus; a coordinator of the Diocese of Camden’s Blue Mass, and religious education teacher for children with special needs at Saint John of God Community Services in Westville Grove. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, David Jr., and Grace.
In a letter to Chief Harkins, Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan praised the deacon’s “outstanding commitment of service,” and called his “actions and leadership truly inspiring.” The honoree’s dedicated career of ministry is a clear indicator that he is deserving of this recognition, Bishop Sullivan concluded.
“I feel blessed and humbled to be chosen for this award,” Chief Harkins said in reacting to the news.
In accepting the honor, “I represent all law enforcement officers of South Jersey who go above and beyond in charity and service, day-to-day, throughout the community,” he continued.
Each year, Catholic Charities’ Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony provides a chance not only for the organization to recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify its mission of social justice and positive transformation in South Jersey, but to raise much-needed funds for its work. Every dollar raised at the dinner goes directly to assist the poor and vulnerable in the Diocese of Camden.
In addition to the Saint John Neumann Award, the event will honor five individuals or groups as Disciples of Mercy.
Begun during the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015, Catholic Charities’ Disciples of Mercy Awards recognize outstanding individuals and ministries who exemplify mercy by reaching out to the poor and vulnerable. The event committee is accepting nominations for these awards through August 2 at catholiccharitiessouthjersey.org/dom-nom-2024.
Catholic Charities’ 20th Annual Awards Dinner will take place the evening of Oct. 24, at the Resorts Conference Center in Atlantic City. For ticket, sponsorship and event information, visit catholiccharitiessouthjersey.org/ccad.
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