April 10, 2025
The Honorable Mayor and Council
Borough of Lodi
1 Memorial Drive
Lodi, N.J. 07644
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
It is with deep disappointment and a heavy heart that
I write to you during a time of profound loss for my family and me. My father,
Richard E. Desimone, recently passed away. He was a decorated and dedicated
Lieutenant with the Lodi Police Department, a respected mentor to many,
including the current Chief of Police, and a man whose impact extended far
beyond his years of service.
Despite his exemplary record and lifelong
contributions to this community, no representative from the Lodi Police
Department entered the funeral home to pay respects to my father or our family.
This absence was not only disheartening—it was deeply disrespectful to his
memory and legacy.
What makes this even more painful is the belief that
this was a retaliatory act, tied to my father’s unwavering support of my
cousin, Theresa Grillo, a current and honorable officer with the Lodi Police
Department. It is no secret that my father stood by her during her legal battle
with the department, and the failure to publicly acknowledge or attend his
funeral feels like a direct result of that loyalty.
There was no social media tribute, no department-wide
acknowledgement, and no attendance from those he mentored or supported,
including Chief Donald Scorzetti, Deputy Mayor and retired Detective Sergeant
Vincent Martin, and retired Chief and former Borough Manager Vincent Caruso.
All three men knew my father personally and professionally—yet none showed up,
nor issued any kind of public recognition of his passing.
This kind of behavior not only tarnishes the values my
father stood for but also reflects poorly on the leadership of the Lodi Police
Department and the borough as a whole. A man of his caliber and service should
have been honored without hesitation—regardless of internal politics or
personal loyalties.
Please understand: I will forever be my father’s
voice, and I will ensure the Lodi Police Department is held to the highest
standards, the very standards my father lived by. This issue goes beyond
personal grievance—this is about the principles of respect, honor, and
community that should define our town.
I hope this letter is taken seriously and spurs
necessary reflection within our local leadership.
Sincerely,
Debra A. Simpson
Daughter of Lt. Richard E. Desimone, Lodi Police
Department (Ret.)
