By Tony Farina

Carl Paladino will be the guest speaker on Wednesday, Feb. 24, when A. J. Verel of South Buffalo, a member of the martial arts Hall of Fame, will be sworn in as the 52nd president of the Judges and Police Conference of Erie County at DiPaolo’s Restaurant on South Park Ave. in Blasdell.

A.J. Verel to head Judges & Police Conference

The Judges and Police Conference was established in 1932 by Erie County Sheriff Charles A. Freidberg and was formed to provide a forum for interaction between the judiciary, law enforcement, and others engaged in related fields within the criminal justice system.

Verel now works full time as executive human resources and safety director for Tonawanda Coke and Vanocur Refractories and in 2014 was deputized by Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard to the department’s scientific staff reserve division.

Verel is a former light heavyweight and middleweight sport karate and kickboxing champion and holds black belts in five different martial arts and won two gold medals as co-captain of the U. S. National Martial Arts and N. A. C. K. (North American Champion Karate) Demonstration Team. He has also worked as an actor, stuntman, and been involved in politics.

The Judges and Police Conference awards scholarships in the legal profession and is now beginning to work with disadvantaged and at-risk youth within the county. It also recognizes members of the community and legal profession with an awards banquet that honors citizen of the year, law enforcement officer of the year, and jurist of the year.

Verel will be sworn in by County Judge Sheila DiTullio at the Feb. 24 installation.