Borough Police Chief Federico Dies

Dilshanie Perera

Chief Anthony V. Federico of the Borough Police Department died suddenly on Sunday while on vacation at his summer home in Maine. He was 55. The cause of death is still unknown.

Having served on the Borough Police force since January of 1980, Mr. Federico graduated from Princeton High School in 1972, and studied history at the the University of Dayton in Ohio, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree, before joining Princeton University’s Department of Public Safety as a Proctor in 1978.

He became the Borough’s Chief of Police on February 1, 2005.

Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi admitted to a “somber buzz” over the police department since finding out about Mr. Federico’s death.

“Most of the guys are still in shock,” Mr. Bruschi acknowledged.

“Everyone knows they have a job to do,” Mr. Bruschi said, “but the event brings with it a stark reality.” He added that “a lot of people have been affected, since Tony has been here a long time, and has a lot of personal friends.”

“It’s something that we all have to work our way through,” Mr. Bruschi said.

Mr. Federico planned to retire from the force in 2010.

While Mr. Federico was away on vacation, the three Lieutenants in the department took on his responsibilities, Mr. Bruschi said, adding that the force would continue to operate according to that procedure. “Once things settle down, we will instate an interim plan until we make a determination as to the top end of the department,” he reported.

Ultimate approval as to the structure of the department and the next Chief of Police rests with Borough Council. Should they choose to maintain the current structure, the promotion process in New Jersey typically involves looking internally for candidates, Mr. Bruschi said. “We have three very qualified lieutenants in our department.”

During his tenure in the Borough’s Police Department, Mr. Federico was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 1987, and then to Lieutenant in 1992. He also served as Captain of Police from 2001 until becoming the Police Chief.

A long-time resident of the town, Mr. Federico was born in Princeton the day after his family emigrated to the United States from Italy.

Son of the late Benito Federico, and son-in-law of the late George Clark, Mr. Federico is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lisa M. Clark Federico, a son, Anthony B. Federico, his mother Michelina Federico of Princeton, his sisters Maryann Federico of Cherry Hill, Roseann Federico of Ewing, his mother-in-law Consuelo Clark of Pennington, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, at St. Paul’s Church at 214 Nassau Street. Friends may call on Friday, July 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home at 40 Vandeventer Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SAVE, at 900 Herrontown Road, or any other charity.

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