A pivotal chapter in Morris County law enforcement closed this week as Warden Christopher E. Klein officially completed his final day of service at the Morris County Correctional Facility, bringing to a close a career that spanned more than two and a half decades and helped shape modern correctional operations in the region.
Klein’s retirement was marked by a ceremony attended by officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, correctional staff, and county leadership, all gathering to recognize a leader whose influence reached well beyond administrative duties. The moment was widely described by colleagues as the conclusion of an era, reflecting Klein’s deep-rooted presence within the county’s correctional system and his steady leadership through years of change.
Standing inside the facility where he spent much of his professional life, Klein addressed staff members who had worked alongside him for years, expressing gratitude to the sheriff’s office, county administrators, and the officers and civilian employees who supported daily operations. He emphasized that the success of the facility was built on teamwork, professionalism, and mutual trust, noting that the work could never have been accomplished without the dedication of those on the front lines.
As part of the farewell, a conference room within the correctional facility was officially dedicated in Klein’s name, becoming the Warden Christopher E. Klein Conference Room. A newly installed bronze plaque commemorates his years of service and recognizes his commitment to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and to residents across the county.
County leadership also presented Klein with a formal Resolution of Honor acknowledging his more than 25 years of public service. Officials highlighted his hands-on leadership style, meticulous attention to facility operations, and extensive institutional knowledge that ranged from correctional standards and accreditation requirements to the day-to-day mechanics that keep a major detention center functioning safely and efficiently.
Klein’s career began in September 1999 when he joined Morris County as a correctional police officer. Over the years, he advanced steadily through the ranks, serving in numerous specialized and supervisory roles. His responsibilities included overseeing training, fire safety, medical coordination, policy development, quartermaster operations, and accreditation efforts. His work in these areas contributed to the facility earning multiple accreditations from the American Correctional Association, underscoring its adherence to national standards.
In 2013, Klein was appointed warden, assuming responsibility for the oversight of more than 180 sworn and civilian employees across administrative and security divisions. During his 12-year tenure as warden, the Morris County Correctional Facility consistently achieved perfect evaluation scores from both the New Jersey Department of Corrections and the American Correctional Association, reinforcing its reputation as one of the state’s most professionally managed facilities.
Sheriff James M. Gannon described Klein as a rare leader who combined frontline experience with strong administrative and business acumen. He noted that Klein was the last remaining officer who had served at the county’s former jail on Court Street in Morristown, making his departure a symbolic turning point for the department.
Leadership of the facility will transition to Anthony P. Lotz, a veteran officer with more than 23 years of service, who will assume the role of warden beginning January 1, 2026. County officials expressed confidence that the facility will remain in capable hands under Lotz’s leadership, ensuring continuity of the standards and culture Klein helped establish.
Additional coverage of law enforcement and public safety developments across New Jersey can be found in Sunset Daily’s law and order section, where statewide updates and community-focused reporting are published regularly.
With his retirement now official, Christopher Klein leaves behind a legacy defined by consistency, accountability, and a lasting impact on the men and women who serve within Morris County’s correctional system.
