Walker Remembered as a Community Leader by Township Officials

You would think that founding the Marlboro Township Police Department would be enough for one person. But Chief Joseph Walker added firefighter, fire commissioner, president of law enforcement organizations and more to his resume.

Walker, 77, died on Saturday in Marlboro, after years of public service and leaving a shining mark on Marlboro Township.

Chief Walker was a founding member of the Marlboro Police Department, first as an officer, then sergeant and eventually as the township's first chief.

"He was our longest serving chief, he actually served under my fathers administration " Mayor Jon Hornik said. "I remember him as a child and he was someone I always looked up to with great respect."

According to current Chief Bruce Hall, after founding Marlboro's Police Explorer's Program and serving as president of the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police Association and the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police.

Walker also served in a senior advisory role to the International Association of Chief’s of Police in Washington D.C.

"Chief Walker also served for sixty years as a Volunteer Firefighter for the Marlboro Fire Department and as a Fire Commissioner for District 1 for many years," Hall said. "He was a driving force in maintaining a well trained and well equipped volunteer fire department. Chief Walker will be missed. May he rest in peace."

John Borden, current District 1 Commissioner, said he served with Walker on the board for 15 years.

"I learned a lot from him as to how to conduct Business and serve the public.  He also was a very good President of the Fire Co. for several years.  He was noted for being the 'Handy Man' around the Fire House," Borden said. "If anything needed building or repair, Joe would usually handle it.  I personally knew Joe for over 40 yrs.  Both from the Fire Co. and our affiliation with Old Brick Church.  His shoes will be hard to fill."

Hornik said Walker will be fully honored by the township, and at his memorial services.

"He did a great job for his town and his community, he will be missed," Hornik said. "I am grateful for the job he did for this town."

Friends and family are invited to visit on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold.

A Funeral Service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Old Brick Reformed Church, Marlboro. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Family is accepting flowers or donations to a charity of one's choice.

To view Walker's full obituary, visit Legacy.com.