Fairfield (NJ) It is with great sadness and regret that the Fairfield Police Department announces the passing of retired Fairfield Police Chief William H. Vanderhoof Jr. on April 16, 2021. Chief Vanderhoof Jr. was born and raised in Fairfield. His father, William H. Vanderhoof Sr. was one of the original officers hired in 1937 when the then Caldwell Township Police Department was formed. It eventually became the Fairfield Police Department. William H. Vanderhoof Sr. was the chief of police when his son was hired by the township as a police officer in 1965.
Chief Vanderhoof Jr. initially worked in the patrol division and moved to the detective bureau in 1967. He served there until he was promoted to Sergeant in 1972. He then returned to the patrol division serving as a shift supervisor until he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1981. In 1982, he was selected to be the third member of the Fairfield Police Department to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA., graduating as a member of the 103rd Session.
He was promoted to Captain in 1988 and he assumed command of the patrol division. He was instrumental in bringing the first Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System to the Department that same year. Several years later he made a significant contribution by bringing another technological improvement to the Department with the 800 Mhz radio system that significantly improved the communications. He became Chief of Police in 1993 and remained in that position until 1996 when he retired. During this period of time, he made the first Department promotions based upon testing. He was a member of the Fairfield Police Department’s Pistol Team for many years and quickly became one of its top shooters, ranked as an expert marksman.
Funeral services for Chief Vanderhoof will be by the Stellato Funeral Home located in Fairfield, N.J. Viewing will take place on Tuesday April 20, 2021, from 3PM-7PM. A
Internet: www.fairfieldpolicenj.org.
funeral church service will be held on Wednesday April 21, 2021 at the St. Thomas More Church located in Fairfield at 11AM followed by interment at the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna
