Tag Archives: Fair Haven Police Chief

In Memoriam: Rumsonite, U.S. Army Vet, Fireman, Father of Fair Haven Police Chief, Joseph F. McGovern, 85

Rumsonite, U.S. Army veteran, fireman and father of the Fair Haven Police Chief, Joseph F. McGovern, passed away on Dec. 11 at Monmouth Medical Center. He was 85.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Rumsonite, U.S. Army Vet, Fireman, Father of Fair Haven Police Chief, Joseph F. McGovern, 85

Retro Remembrance of a Fair Haven Police Chief

He was just that kind of community guy, old school cop and fireman — the kind people remember.

He that face many remember peering around every corner, offering help, an anecdote or 10 with a wry smile and wisdom-inspired wink. He was George Chandler. It’s been just over a year since George, a former Fair Haven police chief and 65-year fire company member, died at 92 on Jan. 25, 2016.

He grew up in Fair Haven and spent most of his life in service to the borough in addition to serving in the U.S. Navy.

George Chandler was known as a tall order of homegrown gentleman and community kinship filled to the hilt. He loved to fish, dance, tell jokes, offer up lots of anecdotes and just plain be kind to his neighbors by serving the community he loved and treating everyone like family — Fair Haven family.

So, the Retro Pic(s) of the Day honor the George Chandler and his Fair Haven roots and dedicated service.

To ask for an anecdotal story about George’s well-known anecdotes of life (yes, that was intentional) was to hear something like the story that follows from the memory of a young boy growing up in the borough. This guy is one of many who still hears the former police chief’s voice and sees his friendly, old fashioned brand of stern with a caring smile.

It’s a classic from longtime Fair Havenite Thom White.

And it goes like this …

“On a ‘no school snow day’ in the 1960s my friends and I decided we’d throw snowballs at cars on River Road. We were hiding in a church’s bushes across River Road from George’s house. I threw one that smacked the side of a borough bus, and gleefully asked ‘Did you see that?’

“George answered from behind me, ‘Yes I did.’ Stop doing that right now. It’s dangerous. And go home and tell your mom that I caught you.’ He added with a wry smile, ‘I might just come by later and check.’

“Well, I did as I was told, and a couple of hours later there was a knock on our front door … and there was George in his uniform. He spoke to my mom, who told him that I had confessed, and he reminded me how dangerous it was to do what I was doing. Needless to say, I never did THAT again, and whenever I’d see him in later years, he was always friendly and wanted to know what I was up to. A true gentleman.”

From the closest of family members to distant friends who may have only had that one milestone memory of the chief that just stuck like that lingering wad of ABC (already been chewed) bubblegum under a kid’s shoe, he is remembered by many and emulated. OK, so no one chews bubblegum anymore. That’s the point — the sticking point.

RIP George Chandler. You are remembered.

— Elaine Van Develde

Focus: Swearing In Fair Haven’s New Police Chief

In a meeting room packed beyond capacity with officials, family, friends and colleagues from near and far, Joseph McGovern was sworn in as Fair Haven’s new police chief at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting.

The swearing-in, at what Mayor Ben Lucarelli called the shortest meeting in history, came nearly seven months after the retirement of former chief, Darryl Breckenridge, who was also in attendance.

McGovern, a near 30-year veteran of the force in Fair Haven, thanked everyone for their support, especially the officers with whom he has served for decades, and said he looked forward to keeping the department top-notch.

Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse into the swearing-in — before, during and after. Click on each to enlarge. 

Congratulations Chief McGovern!

 

— Elaine Van Develde

McGovern Named Fair Haven’s New Police Chief

By Elaine Van Develde

“You can call him chief, but he won’t actually be chief until April 25 when he’s sworn in,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said referring to Acting Police Chief/Captain Joseph McGovern and  the borough’s official move at Monday’s Borough Council meeting to make him the next police chief.

Continue reading McGovern Named Fair Haven’s New Police Chief