James Maletto, Former West Long Branch Police Chief, Dies At 81

Courtesy of Damiano Funeral Home

James T. Maletto, the former West Long Branch police chief, died on June 4 in Lakewood. He was 81.

He became a West Long Branch police officer in 1964 and became police chief in 1991. He retired in 2001.

Chief Maletto was the only West Long Branch police officer to receive the Medal of Valor for an incident where he shot and killed an armed robber holding a hostage. He was presented with a commendation from West Long Branch Mayor Henry Shaheen and a Medal of Citation for Bravery from PBA Local 141.

In 1972, he was appointed "Man of the Year" by the West Long Branch Chamber of Commerce and in 1974 by the Eatontown Elks Lodge 2402. He was instrumental in establishing such programs as D.A.R.E., the Bicycle Patrol and the Explorer programs during his tenure as chief.

He was a member of both the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police and the Monmouth County Association of Chiefs of Police, where he served on the executive board and as treasurer. He was president of Local PBA 141, West Long Branch and a member of the West Long Branch Fire Company #2. He served our country honorably in the U.S. Army.

Surviving are his wife Patricia; son James and wife Barbara; daughter, Daniele; his two sisters, Rosemary Conte and Patricia Wong; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave, Long Branch. His funeral will be begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with an 11 a.m. service scheduled. Interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers NJ, 425 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068. Letters of condolence may be sent through the web at www.damianofuneralhome.com.

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