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Former Depew chief Maccarone dies at 79
John T. Maccarone, who implemented the Depew Police Department's detective bureau and later became the village's Chief of Police, died on November 16 in Green Fields Health and Rehabilitation Center, Lancaster.
Maccarone, who served as chief from 1977 until his 1994 retirement, was 79.
The department experienced many changes during Maccarone's tenure as chief, most notably its growth from eight members to 31.
He joined the Depew Police Department in 1954 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1960. Five years later, he formed the detective bureau, becoming its first captain in 1971.
Maccarone oversaw the department's move to its current Manitou Street location from Terrace Boulevard.
The Depew Police Department received its first accreditation under Maccarone's tenure, in 1991.
"He had quite a lengthy career, 40 years," said Depew Chief of Police Tom Domino, who was hired as an officer by Chief Maccarone in 1981. "He was respected in the law enforcement community. He was proud to be a police officer and was proud of the Depew Police Department."
Maccarone was a past president of the Erie County Association of Chiefs of Police and a past member of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.
Domino recalled Maccarone as a family-oriented man who was firm in the management of his officers.
"I'm very thankful that he gave me an opportunity [to serve as an officer in Depew]," Domino added.
Domino recalled an incident when Maccarone apprehended a bank robber by leading the perpetrator to believe that he was armed when he actually was not.
Establishing the detective bureau was important, Domino said, because the village was growing and social problems began to become more prevalent in Depew.
"Drugs were just coming into heavy use in the late 60s and early 70s," Domino said, 'and the whole community's outlook changed toward law enforcement."
Maccarone, who was named "Outstanding Suburban Police Officer of 1974" by the Erie County Bar Association, was succeeded by James Brennan as chief of police.
A native of Rochester, Maccarone was born on September 30, 1928 and moved to the Buffalo area as a child. He graduated from Depew and Lancaster public schools, and from 1946-48 he served with the Army in the South Pacific.
His wife, the former Dolores Helms, died in 2004. The couple had been married for 54 years.
Maccarone is survived by a daughter, Linda VanNortwick, and three sisters, Madeline Greenberg, Jeanne Stall and Phyllis Watlack.
Prayers were said Tuesday morning at Amigone Funeral Home, 6050 Transit Road, Depew. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, French Road, Depew.
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