John F. Haight, 82, former police chief

John F. Haight Jr., who headed the Ridgefield police for 10 years and has been called the town’s first career policeman, died Oct. 30 in Brewster, Mass. He was 82 years old.
Over a period of 30 years, Chief Haight rose from constable to chief and saw the police force grow from three to 30 officers. “He was one of the moving forces to get us from the town hall basement to where we are now,” said Police Chief Richard Ligi.
A native of Newburgh, N.Y., John Haight was born on April 7, 1920, a son of John F. and Gertrude K. Haight. He moved to Ridgefield as a child, attending classes in the old Titicus Schoolhouse, now the American Legion Hall, and graduating in 1938 from Ridgefield High School. There, he met his future wife, Marion Alice Roberts, and the two were married on June 12, 1942. Mrs. Haight died in 1998.
During World War II, Chief Haight served in the U.S. Army’s Fourth Armored Regiment under General Patton, landing in Europe shortly after D-Day and receiving the Bronze Star for heroism.
One of his first jobs after the war was as an usher at the old Ridgefield Playhouse movie theater, now the Webster Bank building on Prospect Street. He also worked for the U.S. Post Office, driving bags of mail from the office on Main Street to meet the train in Branchville.
In 1947, he was hired as a policeman — then called a constable — joining Charles Wade Walker and James Brady in policing the town under the command of the first selectman and operating out of a 70-square-foot office in the town hall. “In those days, we patrolled in our own cars,” the chief once recalled. “We had no car, no radio, no equipment, no nothing.” The town bought its first patrol car around 1950.
In 1955, the town created a formal police department, with James Brady as chief, and John Haight was among the first officers. Ten years later, Chief Haight took command of the 10-person department, serving until his retirement in 1977 after 30 years on the job — a tenure only one or two others have attained with the police force.
During his nearly 12 years as chief, the department grew threefold to 30 officers, added a detective bureau, and moved from a few rooms in the town hall basement into its new quarters on East Ridge. “In all humility, I believe I have turned over a police department to my successor of which you, the community, will be proud,” he said at his testimonial in 1977. Some 250 people attended that farewell party. “It is amazing that a man with a name like Haight can represent so much love,” emcee Paul Baker said at the time.
“He was always fair with his people and always concerned with their welfare,” said Chief Ligi, who was hired as a clerk by Chief Haight in 1967.
Only three members who served under Chief Haight remain in today’s force of 39 officers: Chief Ligi, Lt. Paul Benevelli, and Patrolman F. Walter Schreiber.
Chief Haight’s first home here was on Washington Avenue, but in the early 1970s he built a new house at the north end of Lake Mamanasco. After his retirement, he moved to South Orleans on Cape Cod, but returned periodically for visits and to host testimonials — after he stepped down as chief, he became a celebrated toastmaster, enjoyed for his wry wit. One of the last formal affairs he attended was a retirement banquet for Thomas Rotunda, who had succeeded him as chief.
He enjoyed golf, fishing and photography.
Chief Haight is survived by three sons: John F. Haight III of Seffner, Fla., Richard T. Haight of Southbury, and Robert L. Haight of Boca Raton, Fla., and by four grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church here on Friday, Nov. 22, at 10:30. Burial is private.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Ridgefield, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield CT 06877.