By Krystle J Bailey
Known around South Jersey as “Tokyo Joe,” Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue was elected as Atlantic County Sheriff in November of last year. He recently sat down with Shore Local to share a little about who the man behind the title is, his local roots, and his vision for Atlantic County.
O’Donoghue made history in more ways than one with his 2023 win over former Sheriff Eric Scheffler. The father of twelve is the first minority to be elected as Atlantic County Sheriff and the first to be elected to office, having worked as a former office employee. O’Donoghue has spent the last 41 years in law enforcement in Atlantic City, Hamilton Township, and at the county level in the sheriff’s office from 1983-2002.
This time in a new seat, O’Donoghue shares, “My vision for this office is to return it to a fully functioning law enforcement agency; to assist and augment all policing agencies and municipalities; and provide the training that the officers need here.”
He went on to explain that there are currently over 5,500 active criminal warrants, including child support warrants, in Atlantic County, stating, “It’s important that we give people what has already been settled.”
O’Donoghue looks forward to implementing further safety measures both inside and outside of the court through an increase in uniformed police presence. Since taking office, he has placed uniform units at locations within the court buildings to ensure the safety and security of staff and those visiting the building. O’Donoghue has also placed an increased focus on the western end of the county into Buena Vista, an area that often lacks police presence.
In addition to the focus on law enforcement and safety, O’Donoghue looks forward to giving the women of the agency the recognition and promotions he feels they have long deserved.
Next week, for the first time in Atlantic County history, the Sheriff’s Office will be appointing a woman to a position only men have previously held. O’Donoghue feels that certain investigations and situations that involve women should involve other females who can empathize and understand while ensuring protection and law enforcement.
Drug control, homelessness, and mental health are among some of the other topics O’Donoghue looks to seek solutions for while in office.
Tokyo Joe, who gets his name from his Japanese-Irish heritage, considers himself a native son of Atlantic City. Raised by the African American and Hispanic community, he grew up in, he shares, “They embraced me, and I embraced them.”
The nickname “Tokyo Joe” began as a taunt by kids chasing young Joe home from school as a kid, but through his martial arts journey, it became part of Joe’s identity and a means of embracing his Asian heritage.
The grandson of the first Japanese-American to gain citizenship in Atlantic County and raised by a cultural melting pot, Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue believes that diversity isn’t our weakness but our strength as a community.
The 69-year-old grandfather of 29 is expecting his 11th great-grandchild this year and considers his family, “The Baskin Robbins Family,” as diverse as a selection of Baskin Robbins ice cream. It’s that love for people from all backgrounds and walks of life that Joe looks forward to bringing into his role as Atlantic County Sheriff.
O’Donoghue plans to use the office to reach into the community in new ways and reassure residents that community needs will be met, that the law will be fairly administrated and that people will be treated with respect.
“Atlantic County is a family,” shares Tokyo Joe. “We need each other.”
Krystle J Bailey is the author of Nourish: A Journey to Loving and Embracing the Woman Within, host of The Coolest People in the World Podcast, and co-host of Joe’s Table for Two on WOND. She is a regular contributor for Shore Local Newsmagazine and co-host of Shore Local Women’s Network. Krystle can be reached at linktree.com/krystlejbailey.
