Former Suffolk Police Commissioner, John Gallagher, Dead At 83

MILLER PLACE, NY — Former Suffolk County Police Commissioner John Gallagher died Saturday at the age of 83.

Gallagher, a resident of Miller Place, served as police commissioner from 1997 to 2004, and during that time, he graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy’s prestigious National Executive Institute and was a guest lecturer in Quantico, VA, Suffolk police said.

When he retired from the police department in 2004, then-County Executive Robert Gaffney awarded him the Suffolk County Medal of Honor, which is the county’s highest honor, according to police. The department’s police academy at the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood was also renamed “The John C. Gallagher Suffolk County Police Academy” in his honor.

Gallagher’s career with the police department is a time that his family said he was most proud of, according to a news release. Acting Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron said Gallagher dedicated his life in service to the people of Suffolk.

“He was a true gentleman and an outstanding leader, who oversaw our department’s response to the tragic September 11th attacks,” he said. “I extend my thoughts and prayers to his family and for those of us in the department who worked under his leadership, we mourn the loss of this incredible man.”

Gallagher served as Deputy County Executive, advising on public safety issues from 1992 to 1997 under Gaffney. He also served as the executive dean of Suffolk County Community College’s Grant Campus between 1974 and 1980.

Gallagher, whose wife, Patricia, predeceased him in 2017, is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Visitation will be at OB Davis Funeral Home, which is located at 1001 Rte. 25A, Miller Place on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m, and Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at St. Louis de Montfort in Sound Beach. The time has yet to be determined. Interment will be private, officials said.