Friends, family and fellow officers filled the Little Silver Municipal Courtroom on Monday night to watch the promotion of Little Silver Police Officer Paul Halpin from patrolman to sergeant at the borough council meeting.

With his wife, Patrice, and 8-month-old son Owen at his side, Halpin, 35, took the oath read by Little Silver Mayor Robert C. Neff, Jr. in front of about 40 well-wishers, including many of his fellow officers.

Halpin, a Middletown resident, was a patrolman in the borough for 11 years and served two years prior to that as a dispatcher. His salary will increase from $94,687 to $100,369 effective Oct. 15.

"It's like a dream come true," Halpin told Patch prior to the swearing in, "to overcome challenges and move through the ranks to better serve the community."