Maplewood, NJ
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Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul passed away on October 21, 2022. Born December 27, 1968, in Long Island, NY, as a child Jimmy moved to Maplewood, NJ, where he grew up. He later lived in in Hackettstown, NJ, before moving to Bath, PA, with his wife, Krista DeVaul. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1987, and shortly thereafter started his career with the Maplewood Police Department in 1993. During his tenure, he received multiple unit and command citations, as well as a distinguished citation in 2012, recognizing the "critical services provided to the public at a great personal risk." He was sworn in as Maplewood Chief of Police in 2018. In honor of our colleague and dear Friend, Maplewood's elected officials and staff have shared the following tributes to Jimmy's life:
Never isolated in his office, Chief DeVaul was a mainstay presence in the community, actively working with neighbors on quality-of-life concerns, at community events greeting parents and their kids or our seniors, actively engaged in one after a full day’s work committee meeting or another, supporting food drives and other mutual aid in the community, and doing all of this while monitoring and overseeing our safety.
Jimmy was appointed Chief at a tough time in our town’s history. We needed change, a major shift. Despite his discomfort and quite possibly very different personal politics or beliefs and after 24 years of existing law enforcement service, he leaned into change, embracing it, leading and transforming our department into the stronger, accredited, professional, empathic, united, and diverse department it is today.
I’m grateful to have known him and to have gotten closer to him recently. It’s no secret we’ve quarreled, argued over policy, but I always admired his conviction & dedication to doing the right thing. Ultimately, I think our shared commitment to doing the right thing and shared stubbornness brought us closer.
Jimmy, thank you for always picking up my calls as I was driving back home from work in Trenton even when I was disturbing you at dinner or while you were lying next to Krista on a beach somewhere in Florida. You stayed on the phone with me until I made it back home safely. Rest in Peace, dear friend. You’re now home.
- Mayor Dean Dafis
In my years as an elected official, I’ve cast hundreds of votes but none as critical as the one made on August 1, 2018. That night, we selected Jimmy DeVaul as the Acting Police Chief of the Maplewood Police Department.
Jimmy was a transformative leader. He changed the Department’s culture, stressed public accountability, and increased the depth and breadth of officer trainings. Jimmy was a street Chief: visible in and accessible to the community.
Jimmy and I worked as a team on so many matters. He was smart, funny and honest. We did not always agree but we respected and trusted one another. Jimmy loved Maplewood and dedicated his life’s work to making our community better. He will be missed.
- Deputy Mayor Vic De Luca
Chief DeVaul’s passing is a tremendous loss for our community. Jimmy and I shared countless moments together over the years, many of which were outside of the public eye. He helped me in so many ways and guided me through some of the toughest moments our town has faced in recent years. He made me better as a town leader and I will always be grateful.
Jimmy loved Maplewood deeply. Serving Maplewood as our Chief of Police as someone who was raised in our town and went to our local schools was one of his greatest honors. Jimmy was passionate and he really cared.
Jimmy, we will miss you very much and it has been an honor to serve our community alongside you.
-Committeeperson "Mayor Frank"' McGehee
Getting to know Jimmy as a friend cemented my opinion of him as a strong, principled, devoted man who served his hometown with unparalleled dedication. He stood by his principles and supported me in mine. I will miss him so much and am so grateful to have known him and to have been given the gift of his support and friendship.
- Committeewoman Nancy Adams
The first time I met Jimmy was at one of the National Nights Out held at DeHart Park. We got to talking about what made me move to Maplewood, and when I told him seeing the kids of all ages playing on my street made me feel like this could be my home, he smiled and said that's what he loved about the town, too -- how it was a good community to live and raise a family. Jimmy understood how each of us added to (or took away from) our shared spaces by how we are in relationship. He believed in and lived up to the social contract, caring for and pushing this town to change in ways that other police officers and citizens respected him for. Jimmy was a true servant leader and Maplewood is a better place because of his service. His spirit lives on in the work he did and the people he served.
-Committeewoman Jamaine Cripe
I had the pleasure of working with Chief DeVaul. He brought the Township through a difficult time and got the Township back on course. He was a consummate professional, thoughtful and an advocate for the MPD and its officers.I am better for having him as my friend.
-Roger Desiderio, Township Attorney
Maplewood Chief of Police Jimmy DeVaul (1968 - 2022)
Chief DeVaul was dedicated to a more diverse and transparent Police Department. He brought the Department through tough times and transformed it into a more modern, professional workplace. As Chief, I will work to continue the legacy that he built. Personally, I will miss talking football with him, and his favorite player Tom Brady. Rest in Peace Chief Jimmy DeVaul.
- Chief of Police Albert Sally
Chief Jim DeVaul (a.k.a. Mr. French) – I will miss your smiling face and sense of humor. I hope my assistance over the years made your days easier!
- Debbie Giordano, Assistant to the Chief of Police
Chief DeVaul, thank you for being a very amicable and joyful guardian of moral values. The community that proudly represents Maplewood and its professional police department will forever be grateful of your brief yet meaningful existence.
- Sgt. Alexander Munoz #399
Chief DeVaul was one of the most professional and dedicated Police Chiefs I’ve ever worked with. The difference he made to his department and to Maplewood will continue to echo for years to come.
-Gregg Schuster, Interim Township Administrator
Since I first began working in Maplewood, Chief DeVaul was one of my most welcoming and supportive colleagues. I remember him giving me a tour of Headquarters during my first week, and how proud he was of the Department and what it had become in recent years. His integrity and commitment to doing the right thing were evident as he focused on training areas, body camera hardware, and the spaces created for the female Officers he had brought on board.
I will always admire his dedication to Maplewood, his strength in his convictions, and his ability to handle even the most stressful of situations with a sense of humor. I can’t count the number of times that Jimmy lightened the mood of a meeting or a phone call with a quip; his laugh is already missed.
While Jimmy's absence is already noted, I know that his legacy will continue to live on through the positive changes that he brought to Maplewood and the relationships that he built while here. Rest in peace, Chief.
-Bailey Barnett, Assistant Township Administrator
Jimmy was like my big brother, and one of a kind. I can still hear his infectious laugh, and I will never forget all the years we were able to work together here in Maplewood. He will be, and already is greatly missed.
- Cesare Riccardi, Superintendent of Public Works
I'll always remember when Jimmy became Chief and started taking over logistics for events we collaborated on. For whatever reason, my artsy creative-brained self had a hard time in the beginning getting my messaging across to Jimmy. In the very beginning, he would bring Captain Williams with him to "translate." I would remind Jimmy that we are both English speakers, and he would say, "Yeah, but Dawn is better at speaking Melissa."
As time went on, between employee background checks, building issues, and an unending stream of events and meetings, I spoke to Chief daily. Whether it was a short hello during busy season or him checking in to see if I made it home after a snowy OEM briefing, I always felt lucky and privileged that Jimmy cared enough to be there for me. I know many feel this way, which is a testament to his big heart.
Life is very fragile, and I miss the Chief every day. I miss his banter, and discussing work issues and feeling a silent sense of both calm and support. That type of person is irreplaceable in one’s life. I respected his steadfast dedication to the town, and we shared a lot of stories and laughs. Residents at our events all loved him, and his team respected him.
We sometimes disagreed—both being intense people, there were a few times when we had what we could call "spirited conversations." Mutual respect was always given, and any disagreement was talked through and balanced out before the end of the conversation. Jimmy listened, and even if he didn’t agree, we could compromise and move in a positive direction.
I’m grateful to have known Jimmy, and am thankful for his dedication. In a world short of true relationships, I’m grateful for the lessons we shared during our time together. I miss that feeling of safety knowing he’s a phone call away. I know he won't rest easy, he will rest in power. We love you Jimmy; I’ll miss you forever.
- Melissa Mancuso, Director of Community Services
I am proud to say that Chief Jimmy DeVaul was my friend and a great supporter of the Health Department. He gave his all to his work and to our community. He served Maplewood residents faithfully and with an understanding one can only have as a native of Maplewood. I will miss his candidness and cheer.
- Candice Davenport, Health Officer
Chief Jimmy DeVaul was compassionate, kind, and most importantly a great listener. I will miss him as a colleague, a friend, and a true community leader. His directness was often countered by his sense of humor, making the most difficult situations surmountable. Thank you for leading us with trust, respect and a very big heart--we miss you, Chief!
- Sarah Lester, Director of Maplewood Memorial Library
Tough, personable, and courageous… Chief DeVaul was not afraid to let anyone know where he stood on a situation; he did not waiver on a decision. He put Maplewood first, worked very hard, was adored by many, was perhaps feared by some, but above all else was respected by All. His loss was tremendous for this Township, a void that will be felt for a long time. May he rest in peace.
- Paul Kittner, Director of Public Works