This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Lt. Heath: Retired From Policing, Not From Serving The Public

Called a role model and a wonderful person, Lt. William Heath hangs up his police uniform after 25 years in Fair Haven.

All his colleagues describe him as a person who has devoted his life to the community—both in uniform and civilian clothes. Lt. William Heath, who retired recently after 25 years of service at the Fair Haven Police Department, is someone coworkers say goes beyond the call of duty.

Heath has devoted countless hours of his free time to the children of Fair Haven, volunteering for the fire department and the first aid squad. Come January, his new position will be the chief of the fire department, another volunteer position.

Heath started his Fair Haven career as a patrolman, then rose through the ranks, making sergeant and then lieutenant.

Find out what's happening in Rumson-Fair Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patrolman Stephen Schneider, who worked with Heath for six years, remembers Heath fondly as his training officer. “He was amazing—the wealth of knowledge that he has, in every field. I’m really sad to see him leave,” Schneider said, adding that he could call Heath at any hour and he would be there for him.

When you think of Lt. Heath, Schneider said, he’s “all about he community" -- working with kids at the Fair Haven Sailing Club also known as River Rats, as a Little League coach and as head of the popular DARE program—Drug Abuse Resistance Education. He is also a former president of the Monmouth County Juvenile Officers Association.

Find out what's happening in Rumson-Fair Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lt. Joseph McGovern, also of Fair Haven's police force, had kudos for Heath as an officer and a community member. “He’s a great guy," he said. "He tries to help the kids whenever he can.” 

Heath joined the first aid squad in 1983 and has has been active in the fire department for at least 15 years.

“He’s one of the most dedicated volunteers we’ve had,” said Trudy Wojciehowski, the second lieutenant at the squad. “He’s involved in everything and gives 100 percent. He’s very caring about what he does—he’s a great role model.”

Heath also coached Wojciehowski's son in baseball. "I can’t imagine him not being a police officer, but it’s nice to know he’s going to stay active with the fire department. He’s a wonderful person.”

Mayor Michael Halfacre told Patch via email: "Lt. Heath has been a valuable member of the police department and, more importantly, the community for many years. He has been involved with the kids, in addition to his work with the children of the town as a police officer, he has coached baseball for an entire generation of Fair Haven children... Although he will no longer wear a police uniform, I am glad that he will remain an integral part of the community, and we continue to value his participation and presence."

A party for Lt. Heath is planned for Sept. 22 at the Nauvoo Grill Club. The cost is $65 per person. Schneider, one of the planners for the event, said he expects a great turnout— perhaps 100 people.

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.