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Former GRPD police chief dies at 81

Posted at 3:00 PM, Jul 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-04 15:42:32-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Longtime Grand Rapids police chief William Hegarty has died. He was 81 years old.

Grand Rapids city officials told FOX 17 he died early Saturday morning.

Hegarty served as Chief of Police for GRPD from 1981-1998.

“I served our department under Chief Hegarty for a number of years, mostly during my formative years in the department, and I can say this about him: he cared deeply about his police department and about his community,” said GRPD Chief Eric Payne. “Both were always in his heart and showed in his work. Our hearts in the entire department and community are heavy today.”

According to his family, who was at his side at the time of his death, Chief Hegarty passed away at 3:30 a.m.

Sytsema Funeral Home in Norton Shores is handling funeral arrangements.