HERO Campaign

The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign was front and center at Saturday’s Cars & Coffee Exotic Car Show in Ocean City!

Alongside HERO Police Patrol cruisers from Longport and Ocean City, we were proud to spread our lifesaving message and encourage everyone to make designated driving part of the plan.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and showed their support! 🚗☕

Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.

Spreading the HERO message across Somerset County!

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office displayed its new John R. Elliott HERO Campaign van at the annual Somerset County 4-H Fair, helping us raise awareness about the importance of designated driving.

We’re so grateful for their continued support and commitment to keeping our roads and communities safe. Thank you for helping us share the message wherever you go:

Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver. 💙🚙

A message that matters, seen by thousands. 💙

A huge thank you to the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) for helping us share an important reminder along the Atlantic City Expressway:

BE A HERO. BE A DESIGNATED DRIVER.

Every time someone chooses to plan a safe ride home, they have the power to save a life. We’re incredibly grateful to SJTA for helping us spread this message to drivers throughout South Jersey and for continuing to support our mission of preventing drunk and impaired driving.

See the sign. Share the message. Be a HERO. 🚙

Community starts with showing up. 💙

A huge thank you to our incredible HERO volunteers who spent National Night Out connecting with neighbors and spreading the message of safe and sober driving throughout our community.

📍 Northfield-Linwood Kiwanis National Night Out
📍 Ocean City National Night Out
📍 Egg Harbor Township National Night Out with EHT Key Club

Whether they were sharing resources, talking with families, or encouraging everyone to always have a designated driver, these volunteers helped make our communities a little safer.

Thank you for donating your time and passion to the HERO Campaign. Together, we’re building a culture where everyone gets home safely. 💛

Please join us in welcoming Tuckahoe Inn to the HERO family! 💙

We're proud to recognize Tuckahoe Inn as our newest HERO Bar & Tavern! By taking the HERO Pledge, they're helping create a safer community by encouraging designated drivers and reminding every guest that getting home safely is always the best choice.

We're also incredibly grateful for their support as a 2026 HERO Walk in Ocean City sponsor! Their partnership helps us continue our mission of preventing impaired driving and saving lives.

Show them some love! Stop by Tuckahoe Inn for great food, great vibes, and a business that's committed to keeping our roads safe. If you're the designated driver, be sure to enjoy a complimentary soft drink or try one of their delicious mocktails while making the responsible choice.

Thank you, Tuckahoe Inn, for standing with HERO and helping make our roads safer—one ride at a time. 💙🚗

Today marks 26 years since the passing of Ensign John R. Elliott.

John was more than a name. He was a leader, a friend, a son, a patriot…and the reason thousands of lives have been saved.

Today and every day, we honor him.

We see his light in every HEROtini we pour, every designated driver we meet, and every life we protect. His legacy lives on in every sober choice and every safe return.

Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.

In memory of Ensign John R. Elliott — forever our HERO. 💙

www.herocampaign.org

John Elliott graduated from Egg Harbor Township High EHTNJ - Egg Harbor Township High School in 1996; where he served as Class President. His classmates saw the leader that he was and know that he had an incredible future ahead of him. Our agency not only embraces this statewide initiative; but also felt the impact all those years ago.

This Goal Zero initiative truly hits home here in Egg Harbor Township.

Staring tomorrow, Law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey will conduct highly visible DWI enforcement and public education efforts in memory of U.S. Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, whose tragic death led to the enactment of New Jersey's landmark John's Law.

Ensign Elliott, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and resident of Egg Harbor Township, was killed on July 22, 2000, while driving home to celebrate his mother's birthday. He had graduated just two months earlier and was preparing to begin Naval Flight School. His vehicle was struck by a drunk driver who had been arrested for driving while intoxicated earlier that same evening,but was released to a friend and allowed to resume driving while still impaired.

Elliott’s death prompted the enactment of John's Law, which requires the impoundment of a vehicle for 12 hours following a DWI arrest, helping ensure that impaired drivers cannot immediately return to the road and endanger others.
As part of this initiative, police departments across New Jersey will deploy additional officers dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Motorists who choose to drive under the influence should expect increased patrols, sobriety checkpoints where appropriate, and swift enforcement action throughout the day and evening.

“John Elliott's legacy has already saved countless lives through John's Law and the HERO Campaign,” Chief Carey said. “On July 22, we will honor that legacy by reminding every driver that impaired driving will not be tolerated in New Jersey. Together, through education, enforcement, and personal responsibility, we can continue moving toward our shared goal of zero traffic fatalities.”

Photo : Ensign John R. Elliott, (November 17, 1977 - July 22, 2000)
U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2000

Congratulations to Nadia Marzano on being crowned Miss Night in Venice! 👑✨

Nadia, a junior at Merion Mercy Academy, earned the title during the Miss Night in Venice Pageant held on July 20 at the Ocean City Tabernacle.

Representing Blitz’s Market, Nadia joined six other contestants in raising funds for 14 local charities: including the HERO Campaign. We are so grateful for her support of our mission to promote safe and sober designated driving and help save lives.

Congratulations, Nadia! Thank you for making a difference in our community. 💙

Congratulations to Madison Specht on being named Second Runner-Up in the 2026 Miss Night in Venice Pageant! 👑💙

Madison, a senior elementary education major at Rowan University, proudly represented the HERO Campaign in this year's competition, which benefits more than a dozen local charities, including the HERO Campaign.

We're also grateful for Madison and her family's continued support through their participation on the Rydogs Team at the annual John R. Elliott HERO Walk, honoring the memory of Ryan Schleyer.

Join us for this year's HERO Walk on Sunday, October 18 at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center (6th Street & Boardwalk). Registration begins at 9:00 AM, with the Walk kicking off at 11:00 AM.

Thank you, Madison, for helping us spread the message of safe and sober designated driving while honoring those we've lost.

Skip the alcohol… not the fun! This , try a and celebrate the heroes who make sure everyone gets home safely 💙