Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience hosted its O’Reilly Distinguished Lecture with keynote speaker John J. Farmer Jr. at the MetLife Stadium Club. On September 8, 2026, the Miller Center along with the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness convened nearly 150 public safety and law enforcement officials from New York, New Jersey and federal agencies.

Opening remarks were delivered by NJ State Police Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle and Director NJOHSP Tom Hauck with notable references to the heroism and contributions of law enforcement and public safety officials during and after the 9/11 terror attacks.

Farmer’s keynote address, grounded in his experience as Attorney General for the State of New Jersey during 9/11 and as senior counsel to the 9/11 Commission, provided the audience with deep insight into the events that day, the work of the commission, recommendations made, and the progress of the country’s public safety and national security mission since.

The O’Reilly Distinguished Lecture Series is named after Thomas J. O’Reilly, former director of the Center on Policing. O’Reilly dedicated his life in service to protecting the public for nearly 45 years. He was the administrator of the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety, the organization with oversight of State Police, Homeland Security and criminal prosecution, he joined the US Department of Justice and was appointed Director of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Report Initiative implementing the “See Something, Say Something” program.  He received numerous awards from the US Departments of Justice and Homeland Security for his achievements and leadership and was a two-time recipient of the Top Federal 100 Award.