Our Mission
To increase awareness of law enforcement officers, other first responders and military service members who died in the line of duty, as well as raise funds to provide relief to their surviving family members
About Us
Operation Deep Blue is an annual long-distance sea kayak expedition conducted to increase awareness of law enforcement officers, other first responders and military service members who died in the line of duty, as well as raise funds to provide relief to their surviving family members.
Over an eight day period, the Operation Deep Blue team paddles approximately 225 miles from Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, NJ to Washington, DC. In addition to honoring all law enforcement officers, other first responders and military service members who died in the line of duty, each Operation Deep Blue team member selects an individual hero, who made the ultimate sacrifice, to honor throughout the expedition.
In preparation for the expedition, the team trains year-round to include paddling throughout the winter in sub-freezing temperatures. During the expedition, the team’s skills, physical endurance, mental toughness and commitment to honoring our fallen heroes are tested as they paddle as many as 10 hours each day in a variety of challenging and rapidly changing conditions.
The 2021 Operation Deep Blue expedition is scheduled for September 4th - 11th. The team is comprised of active, retired and former law enforcement and military personnel from various federal, state, county and local agencies. The Operation Deep Blue Board of Directors and team members serve in a 100% volunteer capacity, receiving zero compensation, and invest hundreds of hours each year in preparing for and participating in the expedition.
2020 Honorees
Vicky O. Armel
Detective
Fairfax County P.D. (VA)
End of Watch: 5/8/2006
Age: 40
Years of Service: 17
Michael J. Goble
Sergeant First Class
U.S. Army Special Forces
End of Watch: 12/23/2019
Age: 33
Years of Service: 15
Breann Leath
Officer
Indianapolis Metro P.D. (IN)
End of Watch: 4/9/2020
Age: 24
Years of Service: 3
Kenneth G. VonRonn
Sergeant
U.S. Army
End of Watch: 1/6/2005
Age: 20
Years of Service: 2
Richard Mark Bremer
Police Officer
Frederick City P.D. (MD)
End of Watch: 10/23/2008
Age: 39
Years of Service: 5
Alex Graham
Firefighter Technician
Washington, DC Fire & EMS
End of Watch: 10/27/2019
Age: 48
Years of Service: 17
John J. McKenna IV
Captain - U.S. Marine Corps & Trooper - NY State Police
End of Watch: 8/16/2006
Age: 30
Years of Service: 8 USMC & 1 NYSP
Kevin Joseph Welsh
Police Officer
Metropolitan P.D. (DC)
End of Watch: 8/4/86
Age: 34
Years of Service: 7
Mary Ann Collura
Police Officer
Fair Lawn P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 4/17/2003
Age: 43
Years of Service: 18
Waldis Johnson
Police Officer
Detroit P.D. (MI)
End of Watch: 5/31/2020
Age: 48
Years of Service: 17
Stephen Matthew Mills
Chief Petty Officer
U.S. Navy SEAL
End of Watch: 8/6/2011
Age: 35
Years of Service: 14
William G. Fearon
Lieutenant
New Jersey State Police
End of Watch: 12/28/2016
Age: 49
Years of Service: 22
Vincent A. Julia
Patrol Officer
Delaware River & Bay Authority P.D. (DE)
End of Watch: 2/9/1996
Age: 27
Years of Service: 2
John Charles Samra
Police Officer
Clifton P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 11/21/2003
Age: 41
Years of Service: 15
Michael E. Garbarino
Master Police Officer
Fairfax County P.D. (VA)
End of Watch: 5/17/2006
Age: 53
Years of Service: 23
Philip Joseph Lamonaco
Trooper II
New Jersey State Police
End of Watch: 12/21/1981
Age: 32
Years of Service: 11
Joseph Alan Seals
Detective
Jersey City P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 12/10/2019
Age: 40
Years of Service: 18
2019 Honorees
Vincent Brock
Patrolman
Paramus P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 11/22/1993
Age: 39
Years of Service: 12
Eric O. Meier
Sergeant
Crawford P.D. (NY)
End of Watch: 9/17/2015
Age: 51
Years of Service: 26
John G. Coughlin
Sergeant
New York City P.D.
End of Watch: 9/11/2001
Age: 43
Years of Service: 18
Tamby Yagan
Police Officer
Paterson P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 4/22/2018
Age: 41
Years of Service: 13
John M. Falcone
Detective
Poughkeepsie City P.D. (NY)
End of Watch: 2/18/2011
Age: 44
Years of Service: 18
Joseph Franklin
Lieutenant
Roxbury P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 5/11/2016
Age: 57
Years of Service: 25
Christopher Goodell
Police Officer
Waldwick P.D. (NJ)
End of Watch: 7/17/2014
Age: 32
Years of Service: 6
Board of Directors
Thomas G. Hauck
President
Thomas G. Hauck is the founder of Operation Deep Blue and currently serves as a federal law enforcement executive with over 21 years of experience. Prior to his law enforcement career, Thomas served in the United States Marine Corps as an enlisted infantryman and intelligence officer.
Guy Shields
Executive Board
Guy Shields retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel, after more than 26 years. He had multiple deployments to Central America, Africa, the Balkans and the Gulf Region, as well as hurricane and forest fire relief deployments in the U.S., as both an Infantry Officer and Public Affairs Officer. After retiring from the Army, Guy spent seven years directing external communications for a major defense contractor, followed by establishing the communications function for a non-profit that provides financial assistance to Army soldiers and families. Guy is an avid boater and a credentialed USCG Master. He has more than 15 years serving on boards for both the Army Public Affairs Association (Chairman) and the Capital Yacht Club (Commodore). In the past two decades he has been instrumental in establishing two 501(c)(3) charities; The Army Public Affairs Association and the Capital Yacht Club Community Chest.
Charlie Atie
Vice President
Charlie Atie began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Prospect Park (NJ) Police Department and retired as the Chief of Police in 2020. Throughout his career, Charlie was the recipient of many honors and awards. Charlie obtained Bachelor of Arts and Master of Administrative Science Degrees, focusing on Leadership and Management, from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Charlie proudly served as President of the Passaic County (NJ) Police Chief’s Association. Charlie also participated in the NJ State Association of Chiefs Of Police (NJSACOP) International Executive Leadership and Advanced Professional Policing Programs globally where he attended workshops with various Law Enforcement Executives in over seven countries.
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John B. Mandrafina
Executive Board
John B. Mandrafina retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Supervisory Special Agent after over 26 years of service. John has lectured on the use of sophisticated investigative techniques at the International Law Enforcement Academy in Budapest, Hungary and represented the FBI at several international conferences regarding use of the undercover technique. John is credited with having overseen the planning and execution of dozens of successful criminal, counterterrorism and counterintelligence undercover operations. Upon his retirement, John founded Twilight Investigations, providing investigative services to several Fortune 500 Companies and prestigious law firms in the New York metropolitan area.
John Spinato
Secretary & Treasurer
John Spinato began his law enforcement career as a United States Air Force Security Policeman and continued with the New York Air National Guard and Division of Military and Naval Affairs. John pursued his civilian law enforcement career with the Town of Crawford (NY) Police Department where he retired in 2015. In 2019, John joined the Town of Shawangunk (NY) Police Department where he continues to serve as a Police Officer.
Expeditions & Events
Expeditions & Events
2020 Expedition
2019 Expedition
Training Photos
Manhattan Circumnavigation
Manhattan Circumnavigation
Navesink River, NJ
Manhattan Circumnavigation
Sponsors
Contact Us
Donate
Please join Operation Deep Blue in honoring our law enforcement officers, other first responders and military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice by making a donation. Your contribution will ensure our fallen heroes are never forgotten and provide relief to their surviving family members.
Operation Deep Blue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the United States under Employer Identification Number (EIN) 84-3140657.
To donate electronically, please click below:
To donate by check:
Please make payable to Operation Deep Blue Corp.
and mail to:
Operation Deep Blue Corp.
P.O. Box 783
Ramsey, NJ 07446-0783
