John Joseph Toth was born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1929. He worked as a television repairman before entering the New Jersey State Police Academy in 1954. After 16 weeks of training he was assigned to the Riverton, New Jersey barracks. In December 1957, Toth was assigned by the State Police to be Governor Meyner's personal chauffeur. He stayed at this post for two months before returning to regular duty. In June 1958, Major Douglas C. Borchard of the New Jersey State Police requested that Toth be registered for classes at the Keeler Polygraph Institute in Chicago. He was accepted and attended their summer program from July 21-August 29, 1958. In a letter dated August 18, 1958, Toth informed his superiors that he was ranked first in his class of eleven men. Toth used this training in many high-profile court cases. He was the polygraph examiner in the first New Jersey trial that admitted polygraph results as evidence. The test results helped acquit a 23-year old of armed robbery. Toth was often commended by his superior officers for his excellent interviewing skills and his technical knowledge of the polygraph machine. Toth was promoted to Detective Second-Class in 1963.
From the description of John Joseph Toth Papers, 1954-1963. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 60398167
