In Memoriam

Patrolman Robert F. Hand

OFFICER

ROBERT F. HAND

It has been 48 years since the death of the only Cranford Police Officer to lose his life in the line of duty. Patrolman Robert F. Hand sacrificed his life protecting and serving the citizens of Cranford on February 11, 1975 following a motor vehicle pursuit.

At about 8:45 p.m. Patrolman Hand, a 19 year veteran with the Cranford Police Department, attempted to stop a vehicle driven by an 18 year old resident of Clark. The one mile car chase started on Walnut Avenue and continued into Clark. At the intersection of Westfield and Branch Avenues in Clark Officer Hand swerved to avoid a vehicle coming into his path, causing the police car to leave the roadway and crash into the D&B Glass and Mirror storefront at the southwest corner. The suspect continued through Clark and was heading into Rahway where Rahway Police had set up a road block. He stopped and was arrested by Clark and Rahway Police officers.

According to the suspect statement, he panicked and led the officer on a chase into Clark. Witnesses stated that the suspect’s vehicle drove recklessly, forcing cars out of his way, constituting a hazard that Officer Hand was required to subdue. As a result of the crash, Officer Hand was taken to Rahway Hospital where he died at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the age of 45

Funeral Mass

 

More than 700 police officers and almost 140 police cars made a final tribute to Hand by participating in a procession from Dooley Funeral Home on North Avenue to St. Michael’s Church on Alden Street where a funeral mass with full police honors was held. The procession, over a mile long, then went past police headquarters and proceeded to the burial at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery in Kenilworth.

The Reverend Joseph Derbyshire, Cranford Police Chaplain and former assistant pastor at St. Michael’s, was the celebrant of the mass. Monsignor John Davis, pastor of St. Michael’s, gave the eulogy and Reverend John Oates assisted in the service. Police Chief Matthew Haney presented the flag from the casket to Patrolman Hand’s 17 year old son, Brian. Hand’s other children were Margaret, Timothy, and Mary.

The police pallbearers were Lieutenants Myron Cymbaluk and Henry Polidoro, Sergeants Gerard Haney and John Korsch, and Patrolmen John Herzer and Robert Nylen.

Fourteen members of the Cranford Police Auxiliary handled traffic control during the funeral and police officers from Garwood, Roselle Park, and Clark were on duty for calls in Cranford.

Patrolman Robert “Bobby” F. Hand was born in 1930 and was a native of Jersey City before moving to Cranford. He attended St. Benedict’s High School and in 1947 joined the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Corporal and serving in the Korean Conflict. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1950. Robert was appointed to the Cranford Police Department on July 1, 1956 and was assigned to the Patrol Division. Hand received a number of commendations during his career. In August 1968 he was commended for breaking up a narcotics ring where 10 people were arrested. Rahway Police commended him in March 1969 for his help in the arrest of a child molester and Army deserter.

During his time with the police department, Patrolman Hand was affectionately nicknamed “The Senator” by fellow officers because he couldn’t walk more than a few blocks without stopping to greet a dozen people. He always took the time to stop and say hello to people. Bobby always put others needs before his own and was notorious for his willingness to help those in need.

Hand at Car

Robert was a member of the local Elk’s Club and of VFW Post No. 335. He was also a very active member of Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Local #52 and had been elected President the prior spring. He was instrumental in establishing the PBA collective bargaining unit which then resulted in the first labor contract between policemen and the township.

After his death, the PBA established the Robert F. Hand Memorial Brotherhood Award which is given to the PBA member who best exemplifies the tradition of brotherhood that Officer Hand stood for. The first recipient of the honor was Lieutenant Myron Cymbaluk in 1980. In addition, in February 2010 the PBA announced they will offer a scholarship in Hand’s honor to Cranford residents looking to attend college in the fall.

The Cranford Police Department and the community at large have never forgotten Officer Hand’s bravery. There are many memorial tributes to him, including a monument stone in front of police headquarters bearing Officer Hand’s name and Badge #26. Also dedicated to his memory is a portrait of “The Senator,” as he was affectionately known, which hangs in the lobby of the police desk. A photograph of Officer Hand along with his badge is displayed prominently in the police department hallway as well. (Photo at right: Memorial stone in front of police department.) In honor of his death all members of the police department wear black mourning bands over their badges for one week starting on February 11th.


Hand Stone

 

LT. RUSSELL SCOTT WILDE SR.

Lt. Russell Scott Wilde Sr.

Russell Scott Wilde Sr., a lifelong resident of Cranford, joined the Cranford Police Department in 1985. He was promoted to detective in 1990, sergeant in 1994, and lieutenant in 1999. As lieutenant, Wilde was responsible for supervising approximately fifteen patrolmen and two sergeants. He was the most decorated officer in the history of the Cranford Police Department. During his fourteen-year career, he earned a National Carnegie Hero Award, the Two Hundred Club Valor Award, the Medal of Honor, four Combat Crosses, three Life Saving Medals and fourteen Departmental Citations.

A PR24 Instructor and a Certified State Firearms Instructor, he was a graduate of the Smith & Wesson Armorer School, the New Jersey State Police Narcotics Training School, the Union County Police Chief’s Basic Training Academy, the Police Executive Development Institute of Pennsylvania State University, and the Northwestern Traffic Institute Field Training Officers Course.

On his days off, he regularly worked out in the weight room. The Cranford PBA’s weight room is currently named in his honor.

His sense of humor and quick engaging smile put strangers and friends at equal ease. He laughed at his own mistakes and used them to teach others. He was admired because he only spoke with respect and kindness about others. He was not judgmental, only compassionate. He was the first person you would hear from when you were in crisis or need, and the last person to divulge a confidence shared.

Lieutenant Wilde was a low-key, soft-spoken leader who always backed his men. A Seton Hall graduate, he encouraged police officers to continue their education. He was always there for them, and they respected him immensely.

He was the antithesis of selfishness, envy, and greed. He was devoted to quietly helping others and avoiding the spotlight of self-promoting publicity. When a Hollywood network show, “911”, wanted to fly him to California and highlight one of his heroic acts, he refused. Yet, he wanted those that worked with him to receive the recognition and accolades they deserved. He thought about others before self. Material possessions never mattered much to him. He was a simple, quiet man who was devoted to his family and kids.

Lieutenant Russell Wilde’s life should be memorialized for the positive impact he had on his family, friends, and the town of Cranford rather than his tragic end on September 18th, 1999.  Lieutenant Wilde proudly served the Cranford Police for 14 years.  He earned multiple commemorations and medals. This dedication continues to allow Wilde’s memory to live on and provide the story of a hero.

 

PATROLMAN NICHOLAS AMICUCCI SR.

Nicholas Amicucci Sr.

Nicholas A. Amicucci Sr., 41, of Garwood, was an 11-year veteran of the Cranford Police Department.  He was an officer in the Cranford Police Department for 11 years and previously served as a Garwood police officer for five years.  "Nick was a quiet professional who never complained and always got the job done," said Cranford Police Chief Harry Wilde. "The community is going to miss him, the Police Department is going to miss him, and I'm going to miss him."

Wilde recalls going on a house burglary call with Patrolman Amicucci several years ago in which the two searched a house from top to bottom without finding a suspect.  After 45 minutes, Wilde said, Patrolman Amicucci found the suspect hiding in a remote corner of the basement, in which it seemed impossible for a person to fit. "He [Patrolman Amicucci] came out beaming ear to ear," the chief said.

Lt. William O'Donnell said Patrolman Amicucci also had received several department life-saving awards, including one for preventing a person from jumping off a bridge onto the Garden State Parkway in 1986, and another for going into a burning house on Willow Street in Garwood in 1989 to get the family out. He was off duty at the time of the blaze.  Patrolman Amicucci also received awards for saving a heart attack victim by using cardiopulmonary resuscitation and arresting a burglary suspect at the industrial park. The suspect had been involved in other burglaries.  "He was the kind of officer we were all proud of," said Capt. Jack Hicks.

Patrolman Amicucci was a member of Cranford PBA Local 52 and the Garwood First Aid Squad.  He was member of the New Jersey Society of Commerical Photographers and served as the Cranford Police Department photographer. He passed away April 14th, 1994.

 

CHIEF'S TREE

Chief's Tree

The Chief’s Tree, a tree dedicated to the past present and future Police Chief’s of the Cranford Police Department, isa unique part of Cranford’s history with an interesting history. The Chief’s tree that is Cranford currently has in front of the was planted and dedicated in 1993, however, the original Chief’s Tree was unofficially dedicated and planted in 1933 for Cranford Police Chief James Hennessey.

According to an article back in the Cranford Police 100th anniversary yearbook, Cranford resident Mary Jordan claimed that the tree was originally dedicated to Chief Hennessey when she was in eighth grade; she recalled the events of the dedication ceremony. An edition of the Cranford Citizen and Chronicle from 1933, dedicated its front cover article to a story about the planting of Chief Hennessey’s tree.

In 1992, the original Chief’s Tree was uprooted during a storm. Mayor Edward Robinson graciously donated a replacement tree for the front of the Cranford Police Station, and in 1993 the tree was officially dedicated to the Cranford Police Chiefs. Below the tree you can find a marker with a Cranford Police Chief’s badge and the words, “A police department’s character, honor, and integrity are defined by its police chief. Cranford has been well served. Dedicated to Cranford’s Chiefs of Police”.

The following eleven individuals have served as Cranford’s Chief of Police during the history of the Cranford Police department: Chief William Jennings (1917 - 1920), Chief James Hennessey (1920 - 1933), Chief Carl Massa (1933 - 1944), Chief William Fischer (1944 - 1955), Chief Lester Powell (1955 - 1967), Chief Matthew Haney (1967 - 1979), Chief Robert Guertin (1979 - 1991), Chief Harry Wilde (1991 - 2003), Chief Eric Mason (2003 - 2014), Chief James Wozniak (2014 - 2017), and Chief Ryan Greco (2017 - present).

Through this project, the cast aside past regarding this memorial tree is being broughT back into the light. The Cranford Chief of Police memorial tree (to the left of the benches) is an important part of Cranford’s history and the role these many Chiefs played on the formation and protection of our town is monumental and should never be forgotten.

 

Robert F Hand Sources:

https://patch.com/new-jersey/cranford/remembering-patrolman-robert-f-hand

https://rennamedia.com/cranford-patrolman-robert-hand/

https://www.cranfordnj.org/police-department/pages/memoriam

 

Russell Scott Wilde Jr. Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/23/nyregion/stellar-officer-is-mourned-a...

https://www.njpublicsafetyofficers.com/2009/04/articles/award-of-depende...

 

Cranford Chief’s Tree Sources:

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/cranford/sections/police-and-fire/articles...
 

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Patrolman Hand’s sacrifice is honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. His name can be found on Panel 11-E Line 13.

“In valor there is hope.”
—Tacitus