The year was 1987. It was a year of big hair, mullets, boom boxes, break dancing, penny loafers, Nintendo, Miami Vice fashion and Ford Crown Victoria police cars. And it was the year that one cop began his now 30-year career in Fair Haven.

That officer was the man who is now the police chief — Joe McGovern. 

Chief McGovern was honored with a proclamation commemorating that 30-year career with the Fair Haven Police Department at Monday’s Borough Council meeting.

He began his career as a dispatcher on Aug. 15, 1987.

In 1989, McGovern became a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class I and was then hired as a patrolman in 1991.

In 2002, he became a detective. After serving as a detective for five years, the now chief was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2006, lieutenant in 2008, captain in 2015 and chief in 2016.

The governing body, in the proclamation, also commended McGovern for attending the FBI National Academy, serving as the borough’s emergency management coordinator and his involvement in the Pop Warner Football program, among other things.

In the proclamation, the chief was thanked for “30 years of selfless service … and making Fair Haven a safe place to live, work and visit.”

For many years, people in the area have known McGovern as the officer who always smiles, waves and chats with residents and business people. He’s also known to stop and chat with the kids and buy a glass of lemonade or a few from little entrepreneurs in town.

Congratulations, Chief McGovern! Thank you for your decades of service!

Take a look at some of the highlights of Chief Joe McGovern’s career that R-FH Retro has been there to capture …