Lodge Timeline
New Jersey Lodge #46 Timeline
1970
Lodge #46 is Chartered
Lodge #46 of the Fraternal Order of Police® in New Jersey is chartered as Penn Central Lodge #46 on January 10, 1970.
1970
Lodge's Founder & 1st President
Lodge #46 is founded by Sergeant William "Buddy" Coulson of the Penn Central RR PD and was the Lodge's 1st President, serving for 25 continous years in that capacity. After stepping down as President in 1995, Buddy remained active in the Lodge until his passing in 2012. Buddy was the longest serving President in the history of New Jersey Lodge #46, a record which remains unbroken as of this day.
1976
Lodge #46 Consolidates
In conjunction with the Conrail merger in 1976, Penn Central Lodge #46 incorporates three additional local railroad police lodges and becomes Conrail Lodge #46.
1980
New Jersey Lodge 46
In 1980, a request is made to the New Jersey State Lodge to change the name of the Lodge to New Jersey Lodge #46 and open it's membership statewide.
1991
Lodge Incorporates
The Lodge officially incorporates in 1991 as "Fraternal Order of Police® New Jersey Lodge No. 46, Inc." and continues to serve law enforcement in northern New Jersey with almost 500 members
1995
Lodge Enters New Leadership
After 25 years of service to the Lodge, William "Buddy" Coulson retires as Lodge President. Detective Robert Fulton of the Hoboken Police Department becomes the 2nd Lodge President in the Lodge's 25 year history.
1995
Lodge #46 Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
New Jersey Lodge No. 46 turned 25 years old on January 10, 1995. The Lodge celebrates with a year-long celebration.
2000
Lodge 46 Hosts N.J. State Conference
New Jersey Lodge #46 overcame many obstacles and succeeded in being designated as the Host Lodge for the 26th New Jersey State Biennial Conference in 2000. The Conference was held in Pocono Mountains from August 7-11, 2000 at the Split Rock Mountain Resort in Lake Harmony, PA, and was a success for the Lodge.
2001
Lodge's 3rd President
In 2001, on the day after 9/11, Detective William Provost of the Union City Police Department becomes the Lodge's 3rd President. He will eventually serve three seperate times as President of Lodge #46.
2007
Lodge's 4th President
In 2007, Special Agent Gary Kamboorian of the CSX Railroad Police Department (successor to Conrail) becomes the Lodge's 4th President.
2009
Lodge's 5th President
In 2009, Captain Michael Adams of the Union City Police Department becomes the Lodge's 5th President, serving for a single term.
2011
Provost Returns as 6th President
In 2011, 10 years after he first began his term as the Lodge's 3rd President, Bill Provost is again elected to serve as the 6th Lodge President.
2013
Lodge's 7th President
In 2013, Robert Vargo of the Department of Homeland Security, becomes the 7th Lodge President and serves for a single term.
2015
Provost Serves Again as 8th President
In an unprecedented 3rd seperate and distinct term of service, Bill Provost is once again elected as the 8th Lodge President. Upon completion of his term in 2021, Bill will have served more terms as President than any other member, and will have served as Lodge President for a total of 14 years...the 2nd longest serving President in the history of New Jersey Lodge #46.
2017
New Jersey F.O.P.® Lodge of the Year
At the September 2017 New Jersey State F.O.P. ® Lodge Board of Directors Meeting, New Jersey Lodge #46 is awarded 2017 Lodge of the Year in recognition of it's outstanding community service and charitable activities.
2020
Lodge #46 celebrates 50 years of service
Despite the outbreak of CoVid-19, New Jersey Lodge No. 46 celebrates a limited 50th Anniversary since it's founding in January of 1970.
2021
Fulton Returns as 9th President
Just one day shy of 20 years since he last served as the 2nd Lodge President, Sgt. Robert Fulton of the Hoboken Police Department once again took the reins as the Lodge's 9th Lodge President, serving for a single term.
2022
Lodge suffers the loss of Lodge Secretary Michael Vincent O'Brien
On June 21, 2022, the Lodge suffered an enormous loss in the unexpected passing of Lodge Secretary Michael V. O'Brien. Michael was the 2nd longest serving Secretary of Lodge #46, and his passing left a unfillable void in the Lodge. In honoring his service to the Lodge, the Lodge renamed it's Annual Golf Outing to the Michael V. O'Brien Memorial Golf Outing to perpetuate the memory of our honored colleague.
2022
Lodge suffers a second loss in the passing of Lodge Chaplain Joseph Mastrofilippo
Just less than six months after suffering the loss of our Lodge Secretary, the Lodge suffered a second loss in the unexpected passing of Lodge Chaplain Joseph A. Mastrofilippo on December 8, 2022. Joe was a long-time member of the Lodge and in addition to his most recent service as Lodge Chaplain, Joe had also served the Lodge as a Trustee, Sgt-at-Arms and Vice-President. Joe was also responsible for the creation and implementation of the Lodge's Annual Scholarships, chairing the Scholarship Committee for many years.
2023
Shanahan Elected as 10th President
On July 1, 2023, Bro. Dennis P. Shanahan, retired Detective from the West Milford Police Department, became the 10th and current President of New Jersey Lodge No. 46.
Beyond 2023...
Lodge 46 Looks Towards the Future
Fraternal Order of Police® New Jersey Lodge No. 46, Inc. heads into the future with a renewed mandate of service and representation of law enforcement in New Jersey. With a larger number of our Lodge members entering retirement, Lodge No. 46 has begun to focus on retired member rights and needs, including restoration of COLA increases in NJ, protecting members right to carry under HR218, and the eventual elimination of the federal WEP, which hurts so many of our members. Our improved online presence will allow members to become more interactive with the Lodge, and the Lodge continues to enhance and improve its services to the membership. If you want to belong to a vibrant and active Lodge, then New Jersey Lodge No. 46 is your choice for membership in the Fraternal Order of Police®. Come look us up or stop by a meeting to see what we're all about. We look forward to meeting you.