Obituary of Joseph Raymond Walker

Joseph R. Walker, 77, of Marlboro Township, died on Saturday, June 23, 2013, at home. He was born in Long Branch and resided in Marlboro Township for most of his life. Mr. Walker served his country in the U.S. Army. Joe was a member of the Old Brick Reformed Church, Marlboro. He was the first Chief of Police of Marlboro Township. Chief Walker oversaw the development of the Police Division from its early stages into what is recognized as a progressive community oriented police agency. In the early 1960's, Chief Walker served as the part-time Business Administrator of Marlboro Township. He was appointed as a Police Officer for the Township and was quickly promoted to Sergeant in Charge of the new police agency. In 1968 Joseph R. Walker was appointed as Chief of Police and remained in that capacity until 1996. During his tenure with the Township, he rose through the ranks of both the Monmouth County Chiefs Association and the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association (1985) to serve as President of both Associations. Additionally, Chief Walker served in a senior advisory role to the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Washington D.C. He also served for 60 years as a Volunteer Firefighter for the Marlboro Fire Department and as a Fire Commissioner for District 1 for many years. He was a driving force in maintaining a well-trained and well equipped volunteer fire department. Joseph is survived by his loving wife Barbara; his three sons, R. Joseph, Edward and James; his daughter, Debara Palombi; two brothers, Fred and John; his sister, Patricia Walker; 11 grandchildren, Joseph, Guenevere, Conor, Broderick, Nicholas, Jaclyn, Thomas, Lauren, Melissa, Michele and Hailey; and two great grandchildren, Sofia and Isabelle. Friends and family are invited to visit Tuesday, 6/25 from 7-9 PM and Wednesday, 6/26 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold. A Funeral Service will be Thursday at 11:00 AM 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.