November 25, 2004
Section: Local
Page: B1, B2
Friends gather in support of arrested police chief
Reka Bala
Staff
Courier News
Bound Brook fund-raiser helps defray Kenneth Henderson's legal costs
By REKA BALA
Staff Writer
MANVILLE - Friends and family of Bound Brook suspended police Chief Kenneth Henderson showed their support for
him at a fund-raiser Wednesday to help finance his legal costs.
Proceeds from the fund-raiser, held at Rhythms on Main Street, will go to Henderson's legal defense fund, which will
be administered by the National Police Defense Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists defendants with their
fees. Henderson was charged last month with official misconduct.
"An injustice here occurred," said Joseph Occhipinti, executive director of the group. "It (the fund) will help Chief
Henderson raise resources to defend himself."
Occhipinti said he hopes to raise at least $200,000 to help cover Henderson's legal bills. "How does a law
enforcement officer raise that kind of money?" he said.
Henderson was arrested Oct. 19 after allegedly tipping off Bound Brook restaurant owner Rafael Rosario about an
impending raid by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, authorities said. Henderson was also charged with
conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
The police chief was freed on $50,000 bail two days after his arrest. Rosario, who owns Cafe Imperial, also was
arrested and has since been released on $100,000 bail, authorities said.
At the fund-raiser, friends of Henderson's sat among family members - all four of Henderson's siblings attended the
event - and Bound Brook residents to empty their pockets for a man they say has been wrongly accused.
"I think he got a raw deal," said Robert Murray, a Bound Brook resident for two years who sat next to longtime
Henderson pal and former Bound Brook Councilman Ray Woldin. "In the short time I've known him, he's been nothing
but a friend."
Woldin, who was on the council that appointed Henderson to the chief position, also had nice things to say about his
friend, adding that "in his 10 years as chief, he turned the department around."
Even Henderson, who declined to comment about the status of his case, seemed moved by the outpouring of support
for him.
"I'm glad to have these guys here," he said.
But members of the National Police Defense Foundation said they are looking for answers about what happened to
Henderson.
"We're going to make sure the chief's rights were not violated," said Mario Apuzzo, the group's treasurer.
Occhipinti said that although the organization's investigation is in its preliminary stages, he intends to evaluate
whether Henderson's arrest was based on personal reasons.
"That is our concern - that this prosecution may be retaliatory," he said.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Rosario's arrest is ongoing, said Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest.
Forrest said the next step would be to present the case to a grand jury, which typically occurs about two months after
an arrest.
Rosario said he has no fund-raisers planned.
Residents interested in making a contribution to Henderson's defense fund may send donations to the Chief Kenneth
Henderson Legal Defense Fund, 21 Kilmer Drive, Building 2, Morganville, NJ 07751, or call (888) SAFE-COP
(723-3267), Occhipinti said.
Occhipinti also said that all donations, which are tax-deductible, will completely go to the fund and not support any
administrative fees.
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Reka Bala can be reached at (908) 707-3155 or rbala@c-n.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY MATTHEW APGAR
Bound Brook suspended police Chief Kenneth Henderson talks with his sister, Brenda Daquino, left, at Rhythms in
Manville on Wednesday evening.
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