Colonel James L. Ford, Jr.

    Colonel James L. Ford, Jr. (retired) of Dover, DE., Superintendent of Delaware State Police, passed away on March 1, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. The son of the late J. Leslie (Sr.) and Florence D. Ford, formerly of Bear, DE and predeceased 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’s law enforcement programs.
    In 2001 Col. Ford was appointed Cabinet Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security,  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 a 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 DE State Police Museum, DE Chief Police Foundation, DE Safety Council, DE Sentencing Accountability Commission and two terms as Honorary Commander of the Dover Air Force Base in conjunction with their citizens community program. He was a member of Masonic Lodge, Capital City Rotary Club, Holy Cross Church in Dover, Maple Dale Country Club and 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 the University of Delaware. Additionally, he graduated from the Southern Policy Institute – University of Louisville, participated in a Winterim Program in London, England to study their criminal justice system and with the United States Air War College at Maxwell AFB located in Montgomery, AL, for a national security program.
    In 1987 he received the distinguished Alumnus Award from DE Tech Community College and in 1997 he was inducted into the University of Delaware’s Wall of Fame.
    An avid lifelong sports fan, Jim was a three-sport letter winner in basketball, baseball, and football at Newark High School, played baseball and football at the University of Delaware. Jim was a fan of the Phillies, Eagles, Ravens, Nascar and long-term football season ticket holder of his beloved “Fighting Blue Hens”.
    Jim and Elaine were able to enjoy traveling home and abroad and in 2004 embraced the motorhome lifestyle traveling throughout the U.S. wintering in Sarasota, FL.
    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, DE and John W (Angela) of Elkton MD., grandchildren Jacob Ford of Milton, DE., Maren Ford Langford (Ryan) and her children Silas and Reese Langford, of Ann Arbor, MI. his sister in law Jean Andress of New Castle, DE 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, Compassionate Care Hospice, especially Mara.
    A viewing will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday, March 10th, 2025, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, Delaware.
    A mass of Christian burial will be held the following morning, 11:00am, Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, at Church of the Holy Cross, 631 S. State Street, Dover, Delaware.
    Interment will be held at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, Delaware.
    Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com