Twp. hires 3 new officers MIDDLETOWN - Three new police officers received ceremonial oaths of office during the Aug. 6 Township Committee meeting. Keith R. Hirschbein, 31, is a lifelong resident of Middletown and a Middletown High School North graduate. Hirschbein, who is married and has two children, had been employed as an NJ Transit police officer since 2004. Hirschbein served in the Navy from 1995 to 1998. During his military service, he received two Meritorious Unit commendations, a National Defense Service Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Hirschbein attended Brookdale Community College before completing an associate's degree in applied science in telecommunications management at DeVry University in 2002. Raymond W. Sofield, 28, is married and resides in Englishtown. He had been employed as a Department of Defense police officer at Fort Monmouth since 2004 and also served as an auxiliary officer for the New York City Police Department from 1997 to 2002. Sofield served as a sergeant in the Army Reserve from 1999 to 2007. He has served tours of duty in Kosovo and Iraq. A military policeman, he received several medals during his service: the Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal; National Defense, Kosovo Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Medal; Expeditionary, Army Service Medal, NATO Medal; and Army Commendation Medal. He also received two Armed Forces Reserve medals. Sofield previously attended Nassau Community College, Garden City, N.Y., and is a graduate of Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School, East Elmhurst, N.Y. John A. Soltysik, 24, was born and raised in Middletown. He is engaged to be married and resides in Millstone. Soltysik served in the Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005. He served several tours of duty in Iraq and received several medals during his military service: the USMC Certificate of Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, USMC Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation. He also received two Sea Service Deployment ribbons. An Allentown High School graduate, he completed an associate's degree in history this year. He was previously employed by Team Green Lawn Sprinklers, Freehold. Hirschbein, who is Police Training Commission-certified, will enter the department's 12-week field training program. Sofield and Soltysik will attend the Cape May Police Academy and enter the department's field training program upon graduation. All three officers will be assigned to the Patrol Division.