(above) Retired Berkeley Heights police chief Ralph Del Duca passed away on August 30, 2020.
Ralph Michael Del Duca
Retired Berkeley Heights Police Chief and Navy veteran
Ralph Michael Del Duca, 87, of Goode, Va., and formerly of Berkeley Heights, N.J., passed away Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, at his home. He was the husband of Genevieve “Jaye” Del Duca for 67 years.
Born Nov. 1, 1932, in Berkeley Heights, he was the son of the late Anthony and Dora Del Duca. After his enlistment in the U.S. Navy (1952 to 1954), he served aboard the USS Northhampton.
He later earned an AA degree in criminal justice from Union College, N.J., and attended criminal justice programs at UVA, Trenton State University and Rutgers University in New Jersey. He also graduated from the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va., and was a member of the FBI National Academy.
Chief Del Duca was listed in the Who’s Who in Police Enforcement in the International Police Chiefs Association. He was chief of the Berkeley Heights Police from Feb. 1, 1982 to April 4, 1992, with a total of 37 years of service in the Berkeley Heights Police Department. He was lifetime member in Local #144 PBA and Berkeley Heights Volunteer Fire Department.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Linda Schaufert of Lynchburg, Va.; one son, R. Scott Del Duca of John’s Island, S.C.; two sisters, Nancy Light and Florence Leta; three grandsons, Bradford R. Scott Schaufert (Alexis), Jayson Brent Schaufert (Annelise) and Paul Raymond Schaufert; great-granddaughters, Everleigh Grace Schaufert and Junia Elizabeth Schaufert. He was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine Groppi and a brother, Anthony Del Duca.
The Berkeley Heights Police Department announced on their Facebook page the passing of Retired Chief Del Duca stating in part “Chief Del Duca will be remembered by those who worked with him as a knowledgeable, forward-thinking police officer and boss who was always firm but fair. He was a loyal life member of P.B.A. Local #144. He consistently sought to improve the department through the introduction of current technology and modern theories of policing. His forward-thinking strategy and desire to professionalize the department are still felt today. Rest easy and rest in peace Chief, you will always be a member of our family.”
Photo by Berkeley Heights Police Department
