Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul Passes Away

Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul Passes Away

Post Date: 10/22/2022 11:26 AM

It is with profound regret that Maplewood announces the passing of Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul. Jimmy joined the Maplewood Police Department in 1993, six years after graduating from Columbia High School and also receiving a degree from Union County College. After rising through the ranks, he was named Police Chief in 2018. He was recognized throughout his career with multiple unit and command citations. He received a distinguished citation in 2012 recognizing the “critical services provided to the public at great personal risk”. He was also a member of many law enforcement organizations and a trusted presenter at multiple forums.

“We are heartbroken and in disbelief,” said Mayor Dean Dafis. “Supporting his family and Maplewood’s finest are our primary concerns at the moment. We shall gather together as a community in his honor in a forthcoming ceremony when we will celebrate his life and nearly thirty years of service to Maplewood. This is a very big loss for us. Jimmy led with deep conviction, challenging the old guard, transforming the Department and bringing us closer together - truly Maplewood’s finest!”

Details on funeral arrangements will be released when finalized.

Click here for more information

As Mayor Dafis stated "We are in disbelief".

So sad. 

Brutal news. Great guy, who cared a lot about Maplewood and taking care of "us", Glad that I got to know him a little bit. 

So sad to hear the news.  Jimmy was in my class CHS '87.  He was always the fittest guy in the class - he was like The Hulk.  A really nice guy and served the community well.  RIP Jimmy

Here's the message from town:

It is with profound regret that Maplewood announces the passing of Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul. Jimmy joined the Maplewood Police Department in 1993, six years after graduating from Columbia High School and also receiving a degree from Union County College. After rising through the ranks, he was named Police Chief in 2018. He was recognized throughout his career with multiple unit and command citations. He received a distinguished citation in 2012 recognizing the “critical services provided to the public at great personal risk”. He was also a member of many law enforcement organizations and a trusted presenter at multiple forums.

“We are heartbroken and in disbelief,” said Mayor Dean Dafis. “Supporting his family and Maplewood’s finest are our primary concerns at the moment. We shall gather together as a community in his honor in a forthcoming ceremony when we will celebrate his life and nearly thirty years of service to Maplewood. This is a very big loss for us. Jimmy led with deep conviction, challenging the old guard, transforming the Department and bringing us closer together - truly Maplewood’s finest!”

Details on funeral arrangements will be released when finalized.

So sorry for this tragic loss. Hoping his family can find some peace.

I had read in the patch a few days ago that he was hospitalized, and I was tempted to start a thread on it, but decided it was not that significant as no one on MOL mentioned it. 
I don’t know if anyone remembers an MPD sergeant named Ricky Barth, was my neighbor, he actually hinted to me one day that “this kid will be chief one day”.
Local guy who really cared for his hometown. It’s quite a shock for the entire department, and the people who knew him, as I’ve heard nothing but great things about him. Like Jamie said he served well. RIP chief Devaul, sir.

There was an incredibly moving (and well written) statement put out by the Community Board on Police I received from the Township. I'll post it here below.

The Members of the Maplewood Community Board on Police send our deepest condolences to the DeVaul family and the Maplewood Police Department as we all mourn the sudden and unexpected passing of Chief Jimmy DeVaul.

Chief DeVaul was instrumental in the creation and continuation of the Maplewood Community Board on Police. He demonstrated true leadership by putting actual action behind the words of transparency and accountability. He ensured the Board had access to the department and data, and he helped foster our connection with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The Chief fully supported the social work program and was working with the Board to help educate the community on when to call the police to reduce bias calls. Even at times when the Board and the Chief saw matters differently, the Chief kept an open mind and always engaged in respectful dialogue.

Outside of the work of the Board, Chief DeVaul was a champion of the Maplewood Restorative Justice Program for youth, worked to build a police force that better represents the community it serves, and raised awareness around state level changes required to improve accountability and transparency within local police departments. Above all, Chief DeVaul owned what the department did well and was honest about how the department could better.

As a Board, we will honor Chief DeVaul’s memory, hard work, and dedication to a safe and just community by continuing all the reforms he helped lay the foundation we see today and working with the department he empowered to continue his legacy. Chief, we will miss you, your laugh, and your partnership. Our hearts are heavy without you here.

I got a nixle alert that Millburn Ave will be closed on Thursday for the memorial service.

I got two more saying that Valley will be closed for the memorial service on Friday. 

Is it 2 days? 2 seperate things?

ridski said:

I got a nixle alert that Millburn Ave will be closed on Thursday for the memorial service.

I got two more saying that Valley will be closed for the memorial service on Friday. 

Is it 2 days? 2 seperate things?

yes, 

Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home 2122 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, on Thursday, October 27th from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct 28th, at Maplewood Town Hall, located at 574 Valley Street, Maplewood, beginning at 11:30 AM

Jaytee said:

yes, 

Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home 2122 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, on Thursday, October 27th from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct 28th, at Maplewood Town Hall, located at 574 Valley Street, Maplewood, beginning at 11:30 AM

Thanks! I had a feeling that was it, but as there were no times given, it's confusing. I;m not the only one, either, there are comments on the nixle alerts saying exactly the same thing.

ridski said:

Thanks! I had a feeling that was it, but as there were no times given, it's confusing. I;m not the only one, either, there are comments on the nixle alerts saying exactly the same thing.

Friday morning there will be a procession from Jacob Holle to valley up to town hall. Traffic will be bad all around, because some side streets will be blocked also. 

Jaytee said:

Friday morning there will be a procession from Jacob Holle to valley up to town hall. Traffic will be bad all around, because some side streets will be blocked also. 

As long they let me outta the driveway, I'll be fine.

Details about the viewing at the funeral home, the procession to Town Hall, and the memorial service.

Arrangements for Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul

Post Date: 10/26/2022 8:56 AM

Maplewood will be celebrating the life of Chief Jimmy DeVaul on Thursday and Friday this week.

Viewing services for Chief DeVaul will be Thursday, October 27 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm at the Jacoby A Holle Funeral Home located at 2122 Millburn Avenue. On Thursday, Millburn Avenue will be closed between Springfield Avenue and Valley Street from 2:00pm to 9:00pm and there will be no access from any side streets. Signs for parking will be posted on Overlook Terrace, Manley Terrace, Northview Terrace, and Melman Terrace the night before in order to provide parking for those wishing to pay their respects.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 28 at approximately 11:30am at Town Hall. Town Hall will be closed to the public from 10:30am to 2:00pm on Friday. Residents will be welcomed to observe the procession on the sidewalk of Valley between Millburn Avenue and Oakview Avenue, or attend the ceremony at Town Hall on the north field of Memorial Park. The procession will travel north on Valley Street, being met by Essex County Pipes and Drums at Baker Street and Valley Street, and proceeding to the front steps of Town Hall. During the procession, Valley Street will be closed between Millburn Avenue and Parker Avenue. Once the procession has arrived at Town Hall, the closure will be condensed to Valley Street between Baker and Oakland Road, with a soft closure at Columbia High School. Temporary and electronic signage will be used to direct drivers.

Following the memorial service, there will be a procession to several locations in Maplewood significant to Chief DeVaul which will involve temporary road closures.

Click here for more information

Nice service.

Thank you for posting these photos. So sad. Such a loss to our community and his family and friends.

Start of the March

This was the saddest event I’ve ever witnessed in this town in my 32 years being in the area. 
Great pictures. Looks like Ridski got into his driveway just in time…

I know it’s not much consolation to the families, but these sorts of tributes are always so moving and meaningful. 

Jaytee said:

This was the saddest event I’ve ever witnessed in this town in my 32 years being in the area. 
Great pictures. Looks like Ridski got into his driveway just in time…

Not really. I moved my car to the medical center parking lot so my wife could leave for work 10 minutes before that picture was taken.

ETA it’s a shame the pipers and drummers weren’t there at the start, I’d have liked to have heard those. But it was a fitting march. So many police from all over north NJ to cover for the MPD at the funeral, and even a troop from Allentown PA were there. Extremely moving.