July 24, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Area Chief Wanamaker planning December 1 retirement by Jennifer Crusco Chief John Wanamaker, who has spent the last three decades of his career with the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department, has announced that he will retire on Dec. 1. “Thirty-one years is a long time for this type of work,” Wanamaker told Villadom TIMES last week. “I’m looking forward to starting a new career in something else.” He did not specify what career path he might pursue. Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall said, “Chief Wanamaker has been a key member of our department over the years, and has served in a number of important roles as he rose through the ranks to head the department. As chief, he has contin- ued to maintain high morale among the officers and has made the tough decisions necessary to ensure that Ho-Ho-Kus has a professional department which is prepared to deal with future challenges faced by law enforcement. He will be missed.” Wanamaker became chief of police in Ho-Ho-Kus in 2011. Wanamaker, who was named captain in May 2010, became offi- cer in charge of the department on Dec. 1, 2010, one day after Gregory Kallenberg retired from the chief’s post. Wanamaker began his career in Ho- Ho-Kus as a dispatcher. He later became a patrolman, and served as a sergeant from 2000 to 2002, when he was promoted to the lieutenant’s post. During Wanamaker’s tenure as chief, he successfully advocated for a Hallow- een curfew, and promoted the use of social media to disseminate information to the public. As a Ho-Ho-Kus police officer, Wana- maker received two Life-Saving Awards: one for assisting a man who was experi- encing cardiac arrest while working out at Wanamaker’s gym, and another for assisting in the armed standoff on Hol- lywood Avenue in 2009. His file includes numerous commendations, multiple physi- cal fitness awards, the END DWI Award, and letters of gratitude from those he has assisted over the years. Wanamaker was head of the Ho-Ho- Kus Traffic Bureau for approximately 10 years. He also served as the terminal access coordinator, handled in-service training for the department’s personnel, scheduled classes for Ho-Ho-Kus officers who wanted to attend courses at the Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, and scheduled all shifts for the department. Wanamaker is a graduate of Waldwick High School, where he met his wife Meg. The Wanamakers are the parents of two sons. Pictured: Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Randall (left) with John and Meg Wanamaker when Wanamaker was sworn in as the borough’s chief of police. Wanamaker will be retiring this year after three decades of service to Ho-Ho-Kus.