The Passing of Harry Wilde, Retired Cranford Chief of Police
With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Retired Chief of Police Harry Wilde, Cranford's 8th Chief of Police.
Chief Wilde was a transformational leader of our organization who served the residents of this community from 1963 until his retirement as Chief in 2003. Chief Wilde served in the United States Coast Guard from 1959-1963 and later joined the Cranford Police Department in 1963. Over the course of his 40-year career, he served as an adjunct faculty member at Union College, served on the Union College Board of Directors, served as Executive Officer of the Union County Narcotics Strike Force and was a past recipient of the Martin Luther King Award. Chief Wilde was directly responsible for developing the West Point Command and Leadership Academy in 1993 - a 6-month course attended by many law enforcement professionals throughout the State of New Jersey.
Chief Wilde’s legacy in the Cranford Police Department lives on, and his leadership and vision propelled our agency into the 21st Century. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Joan Wilde, his son, Lieutenant Stephen Wilde (Rosamaria Wilde), and grandsons Christian and Matteo Wilde. He was predeceased by his son Lieutenant Russell Wilde in 1999.
Dooley Funeral Home in Cranford will handle final arrangements.