Former Conshohocken Police Chief Dies

Retired Chief James Dougherty died at age 65 on Wednesday, the borough council confirmed at its September 21 meeting.

Dougherty began his term as Chief of Police in 1993. Council president Paul McConnell called the former chief “an excellent man” and dedicated the pledge of allegiance to his memory at Wednesday’s meeting.

“I can’t think of anything more worth talking about in a public setting…than someone who has given so much to this community,” he said.

Though no concrete plans were in place, unanimously approved a verbal resolution to honor the former chief’s memory in some capacity in the coming weeks.

According to McConnell, Dougherty lived in the area his whole life outside of his stint in the military.

“Every now and then he would pull me aside and talk to me,” McConnell said. “Sometimes he said things that made me happy and motivated and sometimes he had to correct me a bit. He was a good man.”

Bob Weber of Narberth Ambulance, remembered Dougherty as the man who gave him his first job in law enforcement.

“Fresh out of the academy in 1993, Chief Dougherty gave me my first opportunity to be a police officer,” he said. “He showed a great deal of love for the ambulance and he definitely was a great man. He will be missed.”

Formal memorial service plans have not been announced yet. Patch will update the story as it develops.