William M. Hucker, Retired Livingston Police Chief

Former Livingston Police Chief William M. Hucker, 95, died on April 8 in Beverly Hills, Fla.

Hucker, who joined the Livingston Police Department in 1940 and rose through the ranks to become chief in 1969, is remembered by his colleagues for his kindness and serving the community with distinction. He retired from police service in June 1980.

Born in West Orange, Hucker moved to Livingston in 1921.

He was an advocate for education and initiated numerous police training programs during his tenure. In 1958, Hucker – a gifted photographer - attended the FBI’s School of Advanced Police Photography and established the Livingston Police Department’s first official photography unit. The following year, he was awarded the department’s “Marksman” bar for superior shooting skills.

Active in the community, Hucker was a member of the Livingston First Aid Squad for 17 years — including three as president, and he served as president of the Livingston Rotary Club from 1970 to 1971. He was also a charter member of the Livingston Elks Club.

Professionally, Hucker was a member of the West Essex and Livingston Patrolman Benevolent Associations as well as the International, New Jersey, and Essex County associations of chiefs of police, and the Department of Civil Defense.

In 1975, Chief Hucker was commended by then California Gov. Ronald Reagan for his professional service during Reagan’s multi-day visit to Livingston.

In 1977, Hucker was praised for his work on helping to draft New Jersey’s moped laws with the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles and the state Legislature.

Hucker was an Army veteran, serving in World War II. In his spare time, Hucker enjoyed woodworking, furniture refinishing and cooking.

Hucker's was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, the former Mildred Dodd, in 2010. He was also predeceased by his brother, Arthur, a former Livingston police officer. He is survived by a daughter, Joyce Wertz of Florida; two step-children, Gayle Kellam of New Jersey  and Donald Merwin of Hawaii; four grandchildren, Christine, Cheryl, Randy, and Warren and eight great-grandchildren.

A private funeral was held at the Florida National Cemetery. A memorial service for Hucker will be held at 11 a.m. on June 11 at the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, N.J.