James L. Ford Jr., retired Delaware State Police superintendent
Col. James L. Ford Jr. of Dover passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. The son of the late J. Leslie (Sr.) and Florence D. Ford, formerly of Bear, Jim was preceded in death by his sisters, Florence Ford Moore (George) and Betty Jane Ford Burge (Paul).
Col. Ford’s career started by serving the U.S. Navy on an ammunitions ship during the Korean War and joining the Newark Police Department (1953-56) upon his return. He led a distinguished career with the Delaware State Police in various positions, including K-9 officer, director of training, and ultimately as superintendent, retiring in 1976.
He later joined Delaware Technical and Community College, serving as an instructor and department chair of Criminal Justice at the Terry Campus and as assistant to the president for College Relations in the President’s Office. Col. Ford also consulted with nearby state law enforcement programs.
In 2001, Col. Ford was appointed cabinet secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, serving until 2004. He retired again after 51 years of public service to the State of Delaware and his country.
Col. Ford served as chairman of the Council on Police Training for the State of Delaware for 20 years. He was a member, officer and board member of numerous criminal justice organizations, including the Delaware State Police Museum, Delaware Police Chiefs Foundation, Delaware Safety Council, Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission, and served two terms as an honorary commander of Dover Air Force Base in conjunction with its citizens community program. He was a member of Masonic Lodge, Capital City Rotary Club, Holy Cross Church in Dover, and Maple Dale Country Club, and he always enjoyed golf and playing bridge with his Maple Dale friends.
He was a graduate of Newark High School, Delaware Technical and Community College, and University of Delaware. Additionally, he graduated from the Southern Police Institute – University of Louisville, participated in a Winterim Program in London, England, to study their criminal justice system and attended the U.S. Air War College at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Ala., for a national security program.
In 1987, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Delaware Tech, and in 1997, he was inducted into the University of Delaware’s Alumni Wall of Fame.
An avid lifelong sports fan, Jim was a three-sport letter winner in basketball, baseball, and football at Newark High School, and played baseball and football at the University of Delaware. Jim was a fan of the Phillies, Eagles, Ravens, and NASCAR, and a long-term football season ticket holder of his beloved Fighting Blue Hens.
Jim and Elaine were able to enjoy traveling at home and abroad and, in 2004, embraced the motorhome lifestyle, traveling throughout the U.S. and wintering in Sarasota, Fla.
Col. Ford is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Elaine Chirco Ford. He also is survived by his two sons, James III (Teresa) of Lewes, and John W. (Angela) of Elkton Md., grandchildren, Jacob Ford of Milton, Maren Ford Langford (Ryan) and her children Silas and Reese Langford of Ann Arbor, Mich.; his sister-in-law, Jean Andress of New Castle; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jim and Elaine share a heartfelt thanks to each of them for their loving care and thoughtfulness. A special thank you to Mia and Jeff Cirks, Linda and Rich Foskey, and Compassionate Care Hospice, especially Mara.
A viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, March 10, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover.
A service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, at Holy Cross Church, Dover. Following the service, there will be a police escort to Gracelawn Memorial Cemetery, New Castle. The graveside service will include full honors by the Delaware State Police and the U.S. Navy. They will have a flyover, a 21-gun salute, bagpipes and a flag presentation.
Following that, all are invited to the Christiana Hilton for a gathering.
Memorial donations in Jim’s memory can be made to Delaware State Police Museum, P.O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903, or Holy Cross Church, 631 S. State St., Dover, DE 19903.
