Now, nearly a quarter-century later, the two long-time co-workers have been selected to become the highest ranking uniformed police officers in the Weehawken police department.
On Wednesday night, the 53-year-old McLellan and the 50-year-old Fulcher were both sworn in as deputy police chief.
They will lead the department, which currently has no police chief. In the past, it was run by a deputy chief who handled operational duties and a police director who handled administrative duties. But last July, former Deputy Chief Robert Del Priore retired, and then Police Director Robert Zucconi left to become a member of the Township Council.
Instead of hiring one deputy chief and one police director, the town will have two provisional deputy chiefs.
Reorganization
The promotions of McLellan and Fulcher, two of the department's five captains, begin a reorganization of the police department.
McLellan will be in charge of the administrative side of the department, the work that was generally handled by the police director, like record keeping and scheduling. Fulcher will be in charge of the operational side, insuring the day-to-day functions of the department continue in proper fashion.
Weehawken Public Safety Director Jeff Welz recommended that McLellan and Fulcher receive the promotions on a provisional basis, until the time comes for a New Jersey Department of Personnel promotional test becomes available.
"Bill and Jeff are two lifelong residents, two senior guys who have proven their ability as captains," Welz said. "We had five captains eligible and we couldn't promote all five. Bill and Jeff have proven themselves as capable captains and should continue to serve the community well as deputy chief."
The two will hold the title as provisional deputy chief until the promotional test becomes available, probably within the next eight months to a year.
At that time, the department will re-evaluate where it stands, whether to hire off the list or elevate McLellan and Fulcher to permanent status.
In the meantime, both men are elated to get the chance to head the 55-man department.
"I'm very happy and grateful for the opportunity," said Fulcher, who became a captain two years ago and has headed the department's Office of Emergency Management since that time. "The town wanted to have some sort of an interim solution, and I'm happy that they selected Bill and myself. We needed positive change and a new direction, and this is the first step getting on that track."
"I've always wanted to be able to give back to the community," McLellan said. "It's a challenge for me to become part of the administration. If I'm successful, I could stay around for a while. This is giving me a little bit of a jump start."
Weehawken grads
Fulcher, a Weehawken High School graduate (Class of 1973), is also a member of the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad. He went back to school later in life to earn his degree in criminal justice from New Jersey City University.
McLellan, also a Weehawken High School graduate (Class of 1969), also graduated from New Jersey City University, but first went to school to become a history teacher and did so for a year.
"I was a substitute history teacher throughout Hudson County, but when the chance arrived to become a police officer, it offered more stability," McLellan said. "I gave police work a shot and I found out that I loved it."
McLellan is the older brother of Superintendent of Schools Kevin McLellan.
Fulcher and McLellan's career paths have paralleled since they both graduated from the Police Academy together.
McLellan was one of the first Weehawken police officers to take the courses to become a training officer. Fulcher followed suit and eventually replaced McLellan in that role in the department.
"I think we make a great team," Fulcher said. "We've always worked well together. With the amount of work involved with the job, you need diversity."
McLellan will basically work day shifts Sunday through Thursday, while Fulcher will work nights Tuesday through Saturday. There will be one shift where the two overlap, but Welz believes that this is the best way to keep the department operating at maximum capacity.
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, who swore in the two new police leaders, spoke highly of both men's leadership qualities.
"They have tremendous experience and have been excellent police officers," Turner said. "Both have been serving a long time. They're born and raised here and live here. They have great police records. They're going to carry us through this transitional period and then we'll see where we are later on."
Fulcher said that he was pleased that the other three captains, namely Michael Avaletta, Sr., Thomas Earl and Thomas McGorty, were on hand for the swearing-in, as a sign of support.
"It really meant a lot to me to have them there," Fulcher said. "The guys have been great, offering congratulations. I appreciate that."
Other promotions Wednesday night went to Carl Pasquallini, who went from sergeant to lieutenant, Michael Avaletta, Jr., who went from sergeant to lieutenant, and Sean Kelly, who went from police officer to sergeant.
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