Once Heralded for Rescue Attempt of Pregnant Woman, Ex-Acting Fire Chief Accused of Arson

A Parsippany volunteer firefighter and member of the Morris County Sheriff's Office was charged Tuesday afternoon with several counts of arson, burglary and official misconduct, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Jason Campbell, 32, is accused of allegedly setting two fires in town, one apparently with the help of a youth he was in charge of supervising, the prosecutor's office said.

According to the prosecutor's office, Campbell was charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated arson, one count of third-degree burglary, four counts of second-degree official misconduct, one count of second-degree attempted aggravated arson and two counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated arson.

In a statement released by Capt. Jeff Paul, spokesman for Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Campbell is accused of allegedly deliberately setting fires in Parsippany at 12 Ute Ave. on June 6, 2010 and 116 Old Bloomfield Ave. on Sept. 14, 2008.

Campbell was the acting chief for Parsippany Fire District No. 5 and a supervisor of the Morris County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program during the time of each of the fires, the prosecutor's office said.

According to the prosecutor's office, Campbell allegedly "utilized a Morris County Sheriff's Office Explorer to deliberately set fire" to the Old Bloomfield Avenue address.

The Explorer Program is community-based initiative for those between the ages of 14 and 21 that is "designed to educate and involve youth in law enforcement operations," according to the Morris County Sheriff's Office website.

"Participants are exposed to many aspects of law enforcement including patrol, communications, K-9, bomb squads, crime scene investigation, courthouse security, emergency response team, crime lab and corrections," according to the website.

Campbell was quoted in a fall of 2008 newsletter for the Boy Scout's Patriot's Path Council as saying he would have been a teacher if he hadn't entered law enforcement. "I love kids,'' he said.

"It is of course disturbing when any member of law enforcement or fire service allegedly violates their oath to honorably serve the public," Bianchi said in the statement. "However, the public should also be assured of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's commitment to eradicate those alleged to have breached that public trust."

In April of last year, Campbell was honored by the 200 Club of Morris County for helping rescue a pregnant woman from an overturned car submerged in 4 feet of watery marsh, according to a story in northjersey.com.

Parsippany Mayor James Barberio declined to comment Tuesday night on the charges against Campbell.

"It is in the prosecutor's hands," he said. "It would be wrong to comment."

Campbell was arrested Tuesday shortly after 4:30 p.m., following a joint investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Parsippany Police Department.

Campbell was transported to the Sussex County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, Paul said.

According to his Myspace page, Campbell is a 1996 Parsippany High grad.

Campbell is quoted on the page as saying:

"As a law enforcement officer I am aware that being involved in a shooting or other violent incident is a realistic possibility. I will continually demonstrate my commitment to avoid becoming the victim of such an incident because I will always: Approach all suspects anticipating a confrontation...regardless of the circumstances. Never underestimate a suspect or adversary. Think "cover" and constantly be aware of its presence. Evaluate the need to approach a suspect or suspect location. Watch my suspects' hands. Handcuff my suspects. Handcuff my suspects behind their backs. Search slowly and thoroughly. Wear my body armor during enforcement operations. Value the importance of shooting excellence. Anticipate the worst and be prepared with a plan. Effectively use my firearm in justifiable situations. I WILL ALWAYS SURVIVE THE STREET AND WILL WIN ANY VIOLENT CONFRONTATION!"

According to the prosecutor's office, Campbell was arrested Tuesday without incident by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Tactical Team. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stopper Program at 973-COPCALL.

Patch will continue to update this story.