ERMA — After 30 years in law enforcement, Lower Township Police Chief, Edward Donohue is set to retire effective July 1.
Donohue, a Cape May County native, has resided in Lower Township for over 30 years. He grew up in Stone Harbor, where his father, William B. Donohue, also served as the Chief of Police. Donohue graduated from Wildwood Catholic High School and attended Atlantic Community College.
Donohue began his Law Enforcement career in 1981, as a member of the New Jersey State Police Marine Patrol Bureau and graduated from the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey, in 1982 after attending the 173rd Municipal Police Class.
He is a certified New Jersey Police Training Commission Instructor and taught for over 20 years at the Cape May County Police Academy, instructing crash injuries management and physical fitness to new police recruits.
Donohue was hired by the Lower Township Police Department in 1984, where he served on various squads. He was then assigned to the Cape May County Narcotic’s Strike Force in 1987, where he served in an undercover capacity for one year. He
then served on the department’s Tactical Squad and in 1992 was assigned to the Detective Division.
Donohue became the department’s first Detective First Class in 1994. He was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in August of 1995 and obtained the rank of Lieutenant in April of 1998. He was promoted to Captain in August of 2002 and has served as the Team Leader for the department’s Hostage Negotiation Team.
Donohue was promoted to Chief of Police in July of 2005.
In addition,Donohue is a graduate of the New Jersey Certified Public Manager’s Program through Rutgers University and the West Point Command & Leadership Program through the New Jersey State Chief’s Association. He attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga. where he was certified as a Police Physical Fitness Instructor and is a graduate of the 215 Session of the F.B.I. National Academy located in Quantico, Va.
As Chief, Donohue established the following programs within the Lower Township Police Department;
Received Accreditation for the Police Department through the New Jersey States Chiefs Association and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies becoming the 30th Police Department in New Jersey to receive such status.
Physical Fitness/Wellness Program for Officers
Safe Neighborhoods Tip Line
Annual Awards Ceremony/Recognition Night for Officers
Motorcycle Patrol Unit
Integrated the police department’s SWAT Team in cooperation with other police chiefs and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, into the new Cape May County Regional SWAT Team. Lower Township SWAT Officers are now part of the Cape May Unit.
Donohue has headed up the SWAT Steering Committee for the Cape May County Police Chiefs Association since the inception of the Regional SWAT Team.
Donohue is also the Vice President of the Cape May County Police Chiefs Association and Chairman of the Cape May County Police Training Committee.
During Donohue’s tenure, he introduced a totally new look for Lower Township Police Vehicles, going to black and white Dodge Chargers, with a new emblem on the vehicle.
Donohue noted that the Chargers actually priced out less than Crown Victoria’s and their Hemi Engines are noted for taking more wear and tear thus cutting down on maintenance and repair costs.
Donohue also increased Grant Programs and Funding for the police department
to include;
Cops in Shops Program – a grant which allows officers to work in an undercover capacity in Liquor Stores to discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages by
minors.
Click It or Ticket It Grant Program – a grant that allows for extra patrol to enforce seat belts and other motor vehicle violations.
Over The Limit, Under Arrest Program – a grant that allows for patrols to target motorist for DWI’s and other violations.
The Burn Jag Grant – a federal grant which allowed the township to purchase a new Dodge Charger Police Vehicle and SWAT Team members.
Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund – Annual fund which also allows for supplemental DWI patrols.
In 2009, the police department received over $60,000 in grant funding for law enforcement activities. Chief Donohue stated that the police department is currently in the process of upgrading its communications capabilities including
new computer aided dispatch software with enhanced 9-1-1 capabilities.
The chief noted that the number one priority for the township’s next Chief of Police will be ensuring that there are adequate police officers available to work the streets to maintain public safety.
Donohue stated that in 1995 the police department had 54 sworn officers. “We are currently working with just 40 officers from the chief on down,”
Donohue fears that number could drop even further through attrition as up to eight police officers could retire by next year.
Donohue just recently asked the township to increase its Class II Officers from 10 to 12.
Donohue is also one of the last officer’s still working on the police department who investigated and subsequently helped transport the person responsible for the shooting death of Lower Township Police Officer, David C. Douglass, on Feb. 18, 1994 from New York City back to Cape May County. Donohue was a detective at the time.
“After 30 years as a Cop you have a lot of memories in your head the good, the bad, the funny and the ugly, but there’s some that really stick with you. My first assist Rescue call as a young police officer came in as a baby not breathing. I did mouth to mouth and chest compressions on the three-month-old baby girl in the ambulance all the way to
the hospital but despite the efforts of the Emergency Room Staff, she did not make it. I will never forget the reaction of her parents and the frustration of not being able to do more.
Then there was the morning that Officer Rocco DeNote was shot and seriously wounded during a standoff with an armed barricaded subject and of course the night that Officer David Douglass was shot and killed after exchanging gun fire with a burglary suspect.
However I have also had the opportunity to actually make a difference for the public safety of our residents. I have witnessed many heroic actions by our police officers whether it be pulling children out of a burning home or apprehending violent subjects.”
Donohue and his wife Megan have been married for 32 years; they have four sons and a two-year-old grandson.
Donohue stated “It has been my privilege and honor to serve the residents of New Jersey and Lower Township for the past 30 years, while working side by side with the men and women of the Lower Township Police Department and all of Lower Township’s excellent Emergency Services Personnel, including our Firefighters and Rescue Squad Members. I wish you all the best of luck in the future and will keep you in my prayers. Take care and be careful out there.”
Chief Donohue can be contacted at 886-1619, extension 115.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
