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    Honorees  

Notable Classmates

• Dr. Vivien Green Fryd
• William "Rip" Scherer
• Dr. Russell C. Cattley
• Thomas L. Finkbiner
• Dr. Eric Dinerstein

William S. Malast

• High School South
• Class of 1970
• Inducted in 2005

His impressive career journey began, however, in 1970 as a member of the first graduating class from the newly named Toms River High School South. While at Toms River South he was selected to the All County Team in football and baseball. The next educational step was earning a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Villanova University in 1974. He attended Villanova University on a football scholarship, where he earned three varsity letters. Shortly thereafter, he entered basic training at the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey, graduating on January 30, 1975. Trooper Malast then began his law enforcement duties with general road responsibilities, sewing from 1975 to 1980 in the Field Operations Section at various locations including stations in Bordentown, New Brunswick, Princeton and Colts Neck. For six months in 1980, he also served on two special units, Tactical Patrol Unit and Tactical Emergency And Mission Specialist. In T. P. U. he participated as a member of a unit designated to saturate a high accident area and, through enforcement and visibility, create a safer environment. T.E.A.M.S. is described as a mobile, flexible, highly trained and disciplined force capable of performing special emergency police actions such as high risk entries, tactical rappel missions, underwater recovery, hostage and barricaded subject situations and hostile crowd extractions.

For the next eight years, Malast served as an instructor in the Training Bureau of both the Police Science and Social Science Units of Troop I, where he coordinated both a Juvenile Justice Course and a Child Abuse Seminar. He also instructed the Police Supervision Course and the Police Survival Seminar, as well as coordinating the Physical Training and Self-Defense Training for state and municipal classes.

From January of 1988 to November of 1989, Malast, now a Sergeant, served with the State Government Security Bureau, responsible for the supervision of 60 civilian security guards assigned to seven buildings. During the next ten years there were other assignments, including Squad Supervisor at the Fort Dix Station and Assistant Operations Officer for Troop "C". When promoted to Sergeant First Class, Malast was assigned as Assistant Station Commander at the Allenwood Station and later as the Assistant Operations Officer of Troop "C". From July of 1996 to April of 1998, he was assigned as the Station Commander at Wilburtha Station. As a Lieutenant, he was responsible for the daily operation and supervision of 34 station personnel. Later, in 1998, he became the Station Commander for the Fort Dix Station.

From August of 1998 to July of 2000, Lt. Malast was the Operations Officer for Troop "C" responsible for the administration, supervision and coordination of the activities of the Troop Operations Section. He supervised personnel during emergency situations and major events within the State of New Jersey including hostagelbarricade situations and civil disorders. Additionally, he maintained a liaison with all Prosecutor's offices, Sheriffs Offices, Correctional Facilities, National Guard Units and municipal police departments in the troop area. In the latter half of 2000, Lt. Malast became the Deputy Troop Commander of Troop "E" responsible for assisting the Troop Commander administrate three road stations and the various traffic, criminal and operational units assigned to Troop Headquarters totaling 200 troopers. He also maintained the Internal Investigation File which included the recording, assigning and reviewing of all Internal Investigations assigned to the troop.

Promoted to Captain in December of 2000, Malast became the Traffic Bureau Chief in the Field Operations Section, where he was responsible for Commercial CarrierISafety Inspection, Diesel Emissions, Hazardous Materials, Racing Control, Insurance Fraud, and Fatal Accident Investigation. In January of 2003, Malast was the Division Operations Officer for the Field Operations Section responsible for Major Event Planning and coordination of the efforts of multiple agencies involved in a response to a major incident, thus assuming the role of incident commander in the absence or at the direction of the Superintendent.

Another promotion in February 2004 to Major placed Malast in the position of Commanding Officer, Special Operations Section. He was responsible for the administration, operation, and supervision of 6 bureaus and the 24 Hour Watch Center totaling 9 captains and approximately 720 sworn and civilian personnel.

At various levels of Major Malast's career, he has participated in highly specialized training seminars including Leadership Dynamics, Stress Management for Police Executives, Command Operations, Counter Terrorism, Civil Disorders, Narcotics, Juvenile Justice, Police Survival Tactics, Pedophilia Detection and Investigation, Child Abuse Law Enforcement, and Hostage Negotiations. He also trained in Israel with the Yamam on the Israeli National Police in Weapons and Tactics and in Spain with the National Police in Advanced Civil Disorders and Riot Tactics.

Major Malast holds certifications in 23 areas of expertise including such diverse arts and skills as Firearms Instructor, Boxing (Fight Injuries - Boxing Control Commission), Rappel Training, Scuba Training, Emergency Child Birth, and Certified Black Belt, Yodan (4th Degree).

Despite a demanding career with many hours spent in professional development, Major Malast found quality time to share with his wife, and three sons. His children's involvement in sports led Malast to coaching in the Manchester Little League for 11 years, the Manchester Hawks Pop Warner Football for 9 years, and he coached football for 24 years at Manasquan, Neptune, and Manchester High Schools.

The Toms River Schools Hall of Fame honors Major Malast, not only for his exemplary public service, but also for the style and skill which he continues to imprint on law enforcement as a teacher and leader, and for his humanitarian care and concern for those in need.