EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ, August 21, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kevin M. Wilder has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Wilder currently serves as the Chief of County Investigators at the New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, a position he has held since 2020. In this capacity, he oversees critical investigative operations and administrative functions for the office. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership in this role, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was relocated to Trenton, NJ to manage the state's temporary morgues, a vital response to unprecedented public health challenges. After resolving those immediate needs, he continued in Trenton, where his responsibilities expanded to include oversight of Overdose Fatality Review Teams (OFRT) across New Jersey. His expertise in intelligence analysis, investigations, public safety, law enforcement, physical security and program and project management has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the Medical Examiner's Office & the OFRT.

For the preceding five years before assuming this current role, Mr. Wilder was the Forensic Administrator and Chief of County Investigators for the New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner in Newark, NJ. In this position, he oversaw & managed complex forensic operations and provided guidance on investigative protocols statewide. He was also responsible for ensuring that families received answers regarding their loved ones' deaths and that all procedures were handled with professionalism and compassion. His commitment to seeking truth and supporting families through difficult times became a hallmark of his service.

Prior to his work with the Medical Examiner's Office, Mr. Wilder dedicated nearly three decades to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office from 1987 to 2014, ultimately attaining the rank of Detective Sergeant in the Homicide Squad. His career with Hudson County began in the General Investigations Unit, where he handled public complaints and assisted local & federal law enforcement agencies with high-profile cases. He soon transferred to the Gambling and Narcotics Task Force, investigating illegal lotteries, sports betting and large-scale narcotics operations involving significant drug seizures and money laundering activities.

A defining achievement during his time at the Prosecutor's Office was establishing the Policemen's Benevolent Association Local chapter as a recognized collective bargaining agent for County Investigators. As President & State Delegate of the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office PBA Local 232 for over 20 years, Mr. Wilder led efforts to negotiate the initial collective bargaining agreement followed by several others which led to formalized pay scales, overtime compensation and workplace standards, transforming what had been an informal social group into a certified bargaining unit with more than 100 members.

In 1995, Mr. Wilder joined the Homicide Unit, a move that would shape much of his professional legacy. Initially hesitant about joining what he perceived as the "Old Man's Squad," he quickly developed a passion for death investigations. Over two decades in the Homicide Squad, he participated in more than 3,000 death investigations involving overdoses, suicides, and accidents and over 1,000 homicide investigations. He also pursued advanced training at the New Jersey State Police Homicide Investigation School, the New York City Police Homicide Investigation School, the Harvard Associates in Police Science Death Investigation School, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Advanced Forensic Specialties in Death Investigation School and the St. Louis University Medical School's Medicolegal Death Investigation Program followed by numerous additional Advanced Death Investigation Programs.

Mr. Wilder's law enforcement journey began at age 15 as a Police Explorer with the East Brunswick Police Department – a program founded by his older brother – where he participated in numerous police training programs that included ride-a-longs with both Patrol Officers & Detectives in addition to assisting with crowd control and traffic management at community events. At age 18, he became a Special Police Officer in East Brunswick, NJ before joining the newly formed New Jersey Transit Police Department in 1985. After graduating from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police Academy, he served with the NJ Transit Police in road patrols, train patrols and plainclothes investigations.

Mr. Wilder later transitioned to the Dunellen Police Department in New Jersey, where he worked undercover before moving into uniformed & investigative duties. The shift from urban policing in Essex County, Hudson County and Passaic County to small-town law enforcement marked a significant adjustment, but deepened his interest in investigative work.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Wilder has been recognized for his expertise by industry peers and professional organizations alike. He is a member of the NJ State Policemen's Benevolent Association, the Honor Legion of the Police Departments of the State of New Jersey and the Harvard Associates in Police Science.

Academically, Mr. Wilder holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pre-Law studies from St. Bonaventure University in Saint Bonaventure, New York, graduating in 1984. Beyond his education, he credits his success to an insatiable curiosity and emphasizes education as foundational to his achievements.

Further dedicated to his community, Mr. Wilder is civically involved, currently serving as Vice President of PBA Local 600 representing over 5,000 retired police officers with prior positions as Treasurer for NJ Transit Police PBA Local 304 and Recording Secretary for Dunellen PBA Local 146. His contributions have been honored with several awards, including a Life Saving Award from the New Jersey Transit Police PBA Local 304, as well as a Silver Life Membership and a Gold Life Membership from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office PBA Local 232.

Beyond law enforcement, Mr. Wilder has contributed significantly as a consultant for television productions, such as "Law & Order," "Cold Case" & the Netflix series "Seven Seconds" providing script reviews and technical guidance on set for accuracy in crime scene depiction & overall investigative techniques. He has also consulted on projects for famed mystery & suspense author Mary Higgins Clark and other writers – offering insights into investigative techniques & cause-of-death determinations – and was a guest lecturer at several colleges & universities. He also is a NJ Certified Police Academy Instructor where he not only educates recruits on response to death investigations, but he also impresses upon them to "be a sponge" and absorb as much knowledge as they can from senior colleagues in the field.

Mr. Wilder recognized mentors to his law enforcement career as his older brother, Senior Patrolman Robert K. Wilder (Fairfax Co. Police Department), Capt. Steve Thomore (East Brunswick Police Dept.) & Lt. Joseph Forrar (East Brunswick Police Dept.). Mr. Wilder credits their guidance early in his career as solidifying a firm foundation to his success.

In his personal life, Mr. Wilder enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren. Looking toward the future, he remains committed to leveraging his extensive knowledge, training, education and experience to advance his career further, whether through investigative patrols or new roles, believing that staying active is essential to continued growth and contribution within his field.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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