More than a chief

James Benson joined the Middlesex Rescue Squad at the age of 20 after seeing a sign that volunteers were needed. It gave him a taste of community service and allowed him to work closely with police officers, often under difficult circumstances.

A finance major in college at the time, it was the beginning of Benson’s shift to what became his life’s work – law enforcement and volunteerism.

Benson is best known as a former borough police chief and officer. He headed the Middlesex Police Department for 18 years until retiring in 2010. Benson joined the MPD as a patrol officer in 1972. Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk and the Borough Council honored him on Tuesday, July 15 for his other contributions to the town – his efforts with various volunteer groups and projects.

Benson was the latest community volunteer to receive Pillars of Middlesex recognition. The municipal courtroom was filled with his supporters and fellow volunteers, including some former Pillars honorees.

The former chief has lived in Middlesex for nearly his entire life. He is a graduate of the former Our Lady of Mount Virgin School and Middlesex High.

A member of the Middlesex Library Board of Trustees for more than four decades, Benson has also served on the 100th Anniversary Committee, the Rescue Squad from 1969-1973, and the Community Education Advisory Board.

Benson ‘s volunteerism has included the Emergency Services Unit Commanders Committee for 15 years, Middlesex Ethics Board for four years and Economic Development Committee for four years. He chaired each of those groups, as well as serving as a recreation softball coach.

While addressing the audience, Benson thanked his family. “They’ve been there all along the way,” he said, and recalled some of his community activities. He noted that volunteerism has been a two-way street as he got back a sense of fulfillment while helping others.

“I thoroughly enjoyed all my efforts as a volunteer,” he said. “I’ve actually gotten more out of it than I’ve given.”

Benson inquired about volunteer opportunities in the early 1980s while serving as an MPD sergeant. He was told he could fill a seat on the Middlesex Library’s Board of Trustees.

“That sounds exciting,” Benson recalled thinking, prompting laughs from some at his award ceremony.

It was the right fit. Benson has served 42 years on the Library Board, 24 as its president. He applauded the library staff he has worked with during his tenure, as well as fellow board members. 

“They really have the best interests of the town in mind and the best interests of the library,” Benson said of his board colleagues.

The library has continued to have strong support from the mayor and council through the years, Benson said, regardless of who has filled those elected positions. That isn’t the case in every other municipality, he noted.

Benson thanked borough employees for their efforts. “They are not the pillars of the community,” he said. “They are the foundation of the community.”

Officials presented Benson with a Legislative Citation from state Sen. Jon Bramnick, and Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis noting his community contributions. The three 21st District legislators represent Middlesex Borough in Trenton.

In turn, Benson presented a similar citation  to longtime library trustee Beverly Weber, who attended his award ceremony. Weber was honored as a Pillar of Middlesex several weeks ago. Mikolajczyk said Legislative Citations are being obtained for all past pillars honorees.

Benson said he’s not done volunteering and hopes to continue on the Library Board. “I’d like to stay for 50 (years),” he said. “We’ll see how that works out.”

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