McHugh John P.

John P. McHugh, January 8, 2016, of North Wales, formerly of Roxborough, age 89; retired Chief Inspector with the Philadelphia Police Department and World War II Navy Veteran.  He was raised in West Philadelphia and attended St. Thomas More High School.  He joined the Navy when he was seventeen years old and served in the South Pacific Theatre as a Combat Air Crewman on a Navy bomber.  He was with the Fleet in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered.  John joined the Philadelphia Police Force in 1950 where he served for 33 years and retired in 1982.  He first served as a Patrolman and then as a street Sgt. in West Phila.  When promoted to Lieut. He was assigned to the Police Academy as an Instructor.  In 1964 he was promoted to Captain and assigned as Commanding Officer of the Highway Patrol.  John always considered himself to be a street cop and even when promoted to Staff Inspector (normally plain clothes) he was given command of a mobile task force used to quell problems around the city.  When he was promoted to Inspector he was assigned to a newly created division of special units called the “Tactical Division” as its first Commander promoted to Chief Inspector in1970.  He served as Chief of Command Inspector Bureau and later as Chief of the Special Patrol Bureau.  On his retirement he received many citations including ones from the major, city counsel, director of FBI, and director of the U.S. Secret Service. 

John is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Murphy.  They met when they both sang on the Will Regan Irish Hour.  They have four children, John Jr. , Thomas (Jacqueline), Michael (Joanne) and Nancy Fox (Eric);  five grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is the brother of Peter McHugh, Daniel McHugh and Teresa Staiber.  John was a member of the FOP Southeast Police Chiefs, Irish Society and Cape May Co. Division 1 A.O.H.

Relatives and friends are invited to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 819 Cathedral Road, Phila., PA  19128 for the Viewing on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 9 A.M. followed by Funeral Mass at 11 A.M.  Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to IHM Church Memorial Fund , 819 Cathedral Rd., Phila., PA  19128.  Condolences may be shared at www.kollerfuneralhome.com. KOLLER FUNERAL HOME

Florists:  Flowers may be delivered Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 7:45 A.M. to 8 A.M. to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

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