Lacey Mourns Loss Of Retired Police Chief

LACEY, NJ — Lacey police are mourning the loss of Thomas Darmody III, a retired police chief who served the Lacey Township Police Department for over four decades.

Darmody died in his home on Friday at 81 years old, according to his obituary.

“The Lacey Township Police Department would not be what it is today, without Chief Darmody's dedicated services, and passion for our community,” Lacey police said on Facebook. "His legacy will always be remembered, and carried on, by the men and women of this agency. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Madlyn, his children, and the Darmody Family, during this difficult time."

According to Lacey police, Darmody began his law enforcement career in 1960 with the Long Beach Township Police Department, where he served as a patrolman.

Darmody transferred to the Lacey Township Police Department in 1962. He took a temporary leave of absence in 1963 to serve a tour of duty with the United States Army Military Police before returning to the Lacey Township Police Department in 1966.

Darmody climbed the ranks of the Lacey police and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1968. He was assigned to the detective bureau in 1969, becoming detective sergeant before he was promoted to lieutenant in 1970.

After the retirement of Chief Patrick Geraghty in April of 1972, Darmody was promoted to chief of police. At that time, he was the youngest chief of police in Ocean County at 32 years old.

Darmody was the longest serving chief of police in Lacey Township history, serving from 1972 until his retirement in 2004.

According to Darmody's obituary, he was a member of the Ocean County Police Chiefs Association, Knights of Columbus, Lacey Elks and the Rotary Club of Forked River, where he received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was a past president of the Southern Ocean County Police Chiefs.

Darmody also volunteered at the Tuckerton Seaport's wood shop restoring boats. He enjoyed sailing, fishing with family and friends, and traveling, his obituary says.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Madlyn Darmody, his children Thomas R. Darmody, IV and his wife Kathryn, Michael Darmody, Elizabeth Kane and her husband Bernard, all of Forked River, and his grandchildren, Colin, Madlyn, Lindsey, Finn and Caitlin along with his sister, Margaret Gallo and brother, John Darmody.

A memorial service will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations in Darmody's memory can be made to the Light of Day Foundation at 100 Pascack Road in Park Ridge or online.