Morris County Prosecutor Announces Passing of Former Chief of Investigations Joe Devine

Former Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations and onetime Rockaway Township Police Chief, Joseph A. Devine passed away yesterday at his residence in Chester, it was regretfully announced by Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy’s Class #198 and proud U.S. Army veteran of the Military Police Corps, Devine began his law enforcement career at the Morris County Sheriff’s and the Morris County Prosecutor’s offices.

He joined the Rockaway Township Police Department in 1981, and worked his way up through the ranks to become police chief in 1998 and through2002, when he returned to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office to serve as Chief of Investigations under Prosecutor Michael Rubbinaccio.

In 2006, Chief Devine retired from law enforcement to pursue a career in higher education. Chief Devine once served as an associate professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, teaching graduate classes on homeland security, management and leadership. He was also an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University.

Chief Devine held a Masters of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, a Masters in Administrative Science, an Educational Specialist Degree and a Doctorate in Leadership and Management from Seton Hall University. He had presented lectures at several academic and professional conferences, including a leadership lecture about social and emotional intelligence on the USS Intrepid in 2014.

Prosecutor Knapp said “As the Township of Rockaway labor attorney, I worked extensively with Chief Devine for many years, during his tenure as a captain and when he was promoted to chief. We continued to work together when he joined the MCPO as Chief of Investigations. Joe was also a student of mine in the graduate program at FDU for multiple courses. As a career law enforcement professional, Chief Devine served multiple agencies with honor, dedication to duty and excellence. May he rest in peace.”

“The Morris County Board of Freeholders, on behalf of all residents of the county, lament the passing of Chief Devine and offer our deepest condolences to his family,” said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith.

Chief Devine is survived by his three children, Conor, Sean and Heather.