Former Elizabeth Police Director passes away
Joe Brennan Passed away on September 29, 2022. He was born November 7, 1934, on Liberty Street in Elizabeth, NJ. He attended St. Mary’s grammar and high school located across the street from his home. He dated his wife, Patricia Hickey in high school. She was a graduate of St. Genevieve Grammar School in the Elmora section of Elizabeth. They married in 1958 and moved to Elmora on Floral Avenue where they stayed for 65 years until retiring to Spring Lake, NJ, in 1998.
Joe comes from a large law enforcement family that continues today. He joined his father, Thomas, and brothers, Tom and John, on the Elizabeth Police Department in 1958. He rose up through the ranks receiving promotions from Patrolman, to Sergeant, to Lieutenant, to Captain. During this time, he furthered his education, receiving an Associate Degree in Police Science from Seton Hall University in 1961. He graduated from the FBI Academy in 1972 and trained as a bomb disposal expert in Huntsville, AL. Joe was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration by Kean College in 1976. In 1973, Joe was selected to serve as Police Director of the Elizabeth Police Department. His 20-year tenure was marked by a progressive attitude and innovative changes to the department. Among his many accomplishments were the hiring of Elizabeth’s first female police officers in 1978, the design, development and construction of the new Police Headquarters, the establishment of Police Mini Stations, the transition to Sig Sauer Autoloading Pistols, the introduction of Neighborhood Team Policing and the scheduling of Community Meetings throughout Elizabeth.
After retiring from the Elizabeth Police Department, Joe was appointed an Undersheriff for Union County by Sherriff Ralph Froehlich. Joe served in this capacity until retirement in 2000.
Joe was a life member of PBA #4 and the president of the Elizabeth Police Superiors Officers Association. He was a member of the Elizabeth Rotary Club, the Manasquan Elks, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, a founding member of the Thornsticks, and a founding member of the Elmora Youth Baseball League. He received the “Outstanding Officer Award” in 1972 by the New-Beth Masonic Club. Joe was named “1995 Irishman of the Year“ by the Thornsticks.
Joe proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict attaining the rank of Sergeant.
After retirement, Joe loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren and logged many miles pushing kids in strollers on the boardwalk in Spring Lake. He also took up the game of golf and enjoyed hours on the course with his best buddy, Michael Melchione. Joe leaves an amazing legacy as a steadfast leader, a loyal friend, and a beloved Poppy.
He is survived by loving wife of 64 years. Joe was very proud of his three sons, Dr. Joseph (Pam), Peter (Ella), and Tim (Irene), his grandchildren Daniel (Lindsay), Joseph (Ísis), Liam, Brendan, Leah, Sean, Peter, Michael, Nora, and Tommy, and his wonderful great-grandson Connell. Surviving are his siblings Mary Brennan, Joan Ann Smith, Brendan Brennan (Joanie), and sister-in-law Joan Brennan, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his infant son Daniel, parents Thomas and Nora Brennan, siblings Thomas (Marion), Vincent, John (Pat), Anthony (Florence), Nona (Dick) and Jerome.
