Assistant prosecutor honored by association

The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey recently recognized Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Robert A. Honecker Jr. with the Outstanding Career Advocacy Award.

The presentation was made Sept. 15 at the annual State of New Jersey County Prosecutors Association meeting, held in Atlantic City. According to a press release, the award is given to a career assistant prosecutor who has demonstrated leadership that has inspired his colleagues to become better prosecutors, conveyed professionalism and integrity throughout his career, and made a difference in the lives of victims.

Honecker, who joined the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office in 1981, is the first assistant prosecutor from Monmouth County to receive this award.

Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin, in nominating Honecker for this award, said, "Throughout his prosecutorial career, Bob has demonstrated outstanding service to his community and consistently exhibited qualities of professionalism and integrity."

Honecker is a 1975 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and a 1981 graduate of Widener University School of Law. He has served for more than 25 years with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

He has held the positions of director of the Child Abuse Unit, director of the Environmental Crimes Unit, second assistant prosecutor, first assistant prosecutor, and acting prosecutor for Monmouth County.

Honecker is currently one of eight assistant district attorneys and prosecutors in the United States who sit on the National District Attorneys Association's Board of Directors. He is a past vice president of that organization and was co-chair of the Policy, Ethics and Services Committee.

Honecker is also second vice president of the Monmouth Bar Association and is expected to become president of the Monmouth Bar Association in May 2009. Honecker is a certified criminal trial attorney in the state of New Jersey. He resides in Shrewsbury with his wife and three children.

In accepting the award, Honecker said, "I am proud to be associated with my fellow prosecutors, who are the true people's attorneys and I am humbled to be recognized with this award."