ASSISTANT CHIEFS

Assistant Chiefs

Assistant Chief Officers of the Paid Department

Except for the first two, present at the department origin in 1890, all subsequent Assistant Chiefs held a Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief rank first: some are pictured below not wearing a cap with Assistant Chief 4 trumpet badge

BATTALION CHIEFS

DEPUTY CHIEFS

CHIEFS

Assistant Chiefs are listed below in order of their appointment to PFD by date, not when they assumed the Assistant Chief rank. The rank existed from the first day of the department's organization in 1890 until 1912.

When the Paterson Fire department transformed from a volunteer into a paid department in March of 1890 there were two Assistant Chiefs (John F. Murphy who had the rank in Volunteer Department. Murphy's tenure as AC was short-lived as when Chief Turnbull resigned in May 1890, Murphy was appointed to fill the vacancy as acting Chief. John Struck transiently filled Murphy's spot as an assistant chief - until replaced by James Mills.

Badge of John Gilmore

The rank of Assistant Chief disappeared in 1912 and reappeared on April 1, 1961 (not a recognized civil service rank and thus required no exam) and it was first offered to Joseph Dayspring who declined. It then went to Daniel Carroll and Walter Titus. In 1962 Joseph Dayspring reconsidered and accepted the rank (Carroll then went back to Deputy Chief rank). Many others achieved the rank until it was eliminated in 1978. But on July 2, 2020, the rank was re-established and went to Gabriel Aboyoun followed by Alejando Alicea.

Other than the first five Chiefs to hold the title of Assistant Chief (Murphy, Struck, Grotty, Gilmore and Mills), many of the others but not all (noted in the bios below) progressed through Battalion and Deputy Chief ranks. In 1978, the AC rank was again eliminated, and all were reclassified as Deputy Chiefs. Twenty-seven officers have held the title over time. When the AC title disappeared in 1978 the rank of Battalion Chief was restored. The only Chief Engineer who previously held the rank of Assistant Chief was William Comer. Chiefs below are listed by department appointment dates.

ASSISTANT CHIEFS
(listed by PFD appointment date, not AC appointment date)

John F. Murphy
John Struck
James C. Mills
John Gilmore
Walter Titus
Joseph Lester Devenport
Albert Captor
Salvator Madonna Jr.
George Peppinghaus

Daniel Carroll
Gerard Dugan
Joseph J. Dayspring
Richard Walmsley
Michael Fleming
Leo Fitzsimmons
Theordore Tice
George Findlow
Alfred Micozzi

Eugene Mariani
Wilbert Mariani
Milton Katz
Joseph Cucci
Paul Peterson Jr.
Charles S. Walker
Joseph Forbes
Gabriel Aboyoun
Alejandro Alicea

John F. Murphy - March 20, 1890
Became Acting Chief May, 1890

John Struck - May 5, 1890
Replaced May 25, 1891

October 1891 Paterson News drawing

No photo

1891 - Creation of Assistant Chief Rank - James Mills is appointed

Paterson Press

James C. Mills -
First appointed May 20, 1890 - Officially Appointed May 25, 1891

John Gilmore -
First appointed March 20, 1890; Officially Appointed on June 1, 1891

James C. Mills - appointed Callman March 1, 1891. Appointed by Aldermen as Assistant Chief May 6, 1890 - NJ State Legislature established AC rank April 1891 and Gilmore's official AC appointment was May 25, 1891 - Retired August 1, 1910- Died May 10, 1917 - Had served in PFD Volunteer department and was a Foreman of Protection Engine Company 5 - Was first officer to arrive at the great 1902 conflagration

John Gilmore appointed March 20, 1890 - Appointed by aldermen as Assistant Chief May 6, 1890 - NJ State Legislature established AC rank April 1891 & Gilmore's official AC appointment was June 1, 1891 - Retired May 30, 1912 - Has served at Vigilant Engine 6 from 1870-1890 including being a Foreman - Was AC at great `1902 fire and assumed command of the fire when AC Mills was injured

Walter Titus July 1, 1929

Joseph "Les" Devenport January 1, 1932

Walter Lister Titus – Served US Navy as a Shipfitter 1/c April 11, 1942 thry September 1, 1945 and was an instructor in the Navy Firefighting Program - Appointed to PFD July 1, 1929 - Deputy Chief January 24, 1955 - Assistant Chief 1962

Joseph Lester Devenport January 1, 1932 - Served Engine 1 - Captain December 3, 1941 - Director of PFD Auxiliary Fire Service during WW-II - Battalion Chief October 1, 1949 - Deputy Chief February 9, 1956 - Assistant Chief January 1964 - Retired January 1, 1968 - As a Captain ran Auxiliary Fire Brigade during WWII - Died November 4, 1999

Albert Captor January 1, 1936

Salvatore Madama June 1, 1939

Albert Captor Appointed January 31, 1936- Badge 9 – Served as Lieutenant (SG) US Navy Reserve March 15, 1943 thru January 20, 1946 Served Engine 1 - Appointed Captain at Engine 9 December 1, 1947 - Battalion Chief 1958 - Deputy Chief July 1, 1961, Drillmaster September 1, 1963 to April 24, 1964 and Assistant Chief March 11, 1970 - Died February 6, 2001 - Father of BC Al Capter

Salvatore Madama June 1, 1939 - Assistant Chief March 15, 1970 - Died October 19, 2008

George Peppinghaus October 1, 1939

Daniel Carroll April 16, 1942

George Peppinghaus October 1, 1939 at Engine 4- Captain 1947 - Battalion Chief (Drillmaster and commander of Auxiliary Department) March 1, 1953 - 2nd Battalion B shift October 15, 1956 - Deputy Chief (Drillmaster) October 1, 1957 - Commander 3rd Battalion A shift July 1, 1958 - Assistant Chief January 1, 1964 - Retired November 1966- Died April 2, 1976

Chief Daniel J. Carroll – Served as Aviation Machinist Mate US Navy April 29, 1944 thru January 31, 1946 – Appointed April 16, 1942 - Promoted to Captain E1 1951 - Appointed as Executive Officer May 18, 1960 - Assistant Chief 1962 - Retired 1979 - Died January 11, 1987

Gerard Dugan April 16, 1942

Joseph Dayspring June 1, 1942

Gerard "Jerry" Dugan – Appointed to PFD April 16, 1942 – Served US Coast Guard September 19, 1942 thru November 1, 1945 - Returned to PFD November 16, 1945 - Appointed Captain November 1, 1948 at E10 – Battalion Chief October 1, 1957 – Deputy Chief July 1, 1961 – Acting Assistant Chief July 1966 - Assistant Chief December 1, 1966 - Retired 1981 - Died April 22, 1985

Joseph "Joe" J. Dayspring - Appointed June 1, 1942 – Badge 172 - Truck 3 B Shift – Served US Army Air Corps as a Bombardier September 9, 1943 thru February 6, 1946 rising to rank of 1st Lieutenant - Promoted Captain A shift Truck 3 on December 1, 1947, Engine 1 A shift April 13, 1950 – Battalion (First) Chief March 1, 1953 – Promoted Deputy Chief December 1, 1957 as Supervisor of Combustibles, Second Battalion DC July 1, 1959, First Battalion DC November 1, 1959 – Finished First on Chief’s test April 13, 1960 (but skipped) – Promoted Assistant Chief June 1, 1962 (B Shift) – Organizer & Director of PFD Ambulance Service November 15, 1970 – Director Research & Planning October 1, 1971 – Liaison Officer Department of Public Safety June 1, 1977 - Retired 1981 - Died October 6, 2003 - Brother-in-Law of AC Charles S Walker

Richard Walmsley November 1, 1942

Michael Fleming February 16, 1943

Richard Walmsley – Served as Technician 5th Grade in US Army December 17, 1943 thru April 1946 – Appointed to PFD November 1, 1942 – Badge # 46- Promoted to Captain March 1953 -Deputy Chief July 1, 1961- Assistant Chief March 15, 1970 - Died April 6, 1975

Chief Michael J. "Mickey" Fleming - Appointed February 16, 1943 - Badge #22 - Served Engine1 - Captain at Engine 1 and then 5 - Promoted to B/C, D/C and then A/C - Retired 1977 - Died October 22, 2003 - Father of BC Michael P Fleming Sr. and Grandfather of D/C Michael P. Fleming Jr

Leo F. Fitzsimmons March 1, 1943

Theodore Tice March 1, 1943

Leo F. Fitzsimmons – Served as Aviation Machinist Mate US Navy June 26, 1943 thru November 9, 1945 – American Theatre Medal – Appointed March 1, 1943 - Served at E2 & E6 - Captain on April 11, 1951 served at T2 - Battalion Chief October 1957 - Deputy Chief January 1961 - Assistant Chief July 1, 1967 (became executive officer) - Retired 1971 - Died March 5, 1991

Theodore "Ted" Tice – Served as Sergeant in US Army July 28, 1943 thru October 25, 1945 - Appointed March 1, 1943 - Badge # 41- Captain May 1, 1951 at Truck 1- Battalion Chief December 1, 1957 - Deputy Chief 1964 - Assistant Chief 1966 - Retired September 1, 1982 - Died October 9, 2002 -Father of DC James Tice and Grandfather of FF Chris Tice

George Findlow January 19, 1943

Alfred Micozzi July 1, 1947

George Findlow – Served US Technician 3rd Grade Army January 20, 1941 thru December 1945 – American Thetre Pre-Pearl Harbor - Appointed PFD January 19, 1943 while serving in the U.S. Army - Reported for duty December 16, 1945 – Badge # 52 – Assignments Truck 3, E11, E8, E5 – Promoted to Captain “B” Shift E 11 – Promoted to Battalion Chief March 1 or July 1, 1958; 3rd Battalion “A” Shift; May 1, 1959; 3rd Battalion Tour 4 Sept. 1, 1963 – Promoted to Deputy Chief May 1, or July 1 1961 – Promoted to Assistant Chief November 1, 1969 - Retired November 1, 1971

Alfred Micozzi - Served US Army as Sergeant April 2, 1942 thru January 14, 1946 - Appointed PFD July 1, 1947 - Badge #36 - Promoted to Lieutenant in 1958, Captain in 1961, Deputy Chief in 1965 and Assistant Chief March 15, 1970 - Retired July 1, 1984 - Died April1, 2012

Eugene Mariani September 1, 1947

Wilbert Mariani November 1, 1947

Eugene Mariani – Served as PFC US Army February 10, 1943 thru February 9, 1946 – Appointed PFD September 1, 1947 – Badge # 89 - Promoted to Lieutenant in 1957, Captain in 1961, Deputy Chief in 1965, Assistant Chief in 1972 - Retired 1975 - Died June 17, 2022 (at age 99) - Son of Captain Joseph T Mariani, brother of AC Wilbert Mariani and father of FF Louis Mariani.

Wilbert Mariani – Served US Army as Technician 5th Grade May 1943 thru April 1946 - Appointed November 1, 1947 – Badge # 54 - Promoted to Lieutenant in 1957, Captain in 1961, Deputy Chief in 1964 , Assistant Chief April 1, 1972 - Died January 25, 1974 -Son of Captain Joseph T Mariani, brother of AC Eugene Mariani and Uncle of FF Louis Mariani

Milton Katz December 1, 1947

Joseph Cucci July 1, 1949

Milton "Milt" Katz - Served US Army as Sergeant July 12, 1943 thru January 16, 1946 - Appointed December 1, 1947 - Badge #58 - Captain 1963 - Deputy Chief June 1968 - Assistant Chief, 1973 - FAO 1976 - Retired July 1, 1986 - Died December 8, 2002 - Father of FF Barry Katz (appointed 1983)

Joseph R. Cucci – Served as Fireman 3/c US Navy October 27, 1942 thru January 8, 1943 - Appointed July 1, 1949 – Badge # 178 - Initial assignment: E9 - Promoted to Lieutenant - February 1, 1958 at E7 - B shift - Promoted to Captain September 1, 1960 at E6 A shift - Acting Deputy Chief November 24, 1963 - Deputy Chief January 1, 1964 - Assistant Chief May 1, 1969 - Deceased January 30, 1970

Paul Peterson Jr. April 1, 1951

Charles S. Walker March 1, 1956

Paul Peterson Jr. Appointed April 1, 1951 – Badge # 94 – Served as Petty Officer in US Navy March 16, 1945 thru July 10, 1946 - Promoted to Lieutenant 1958 and Captain in 1960 - Had served at E2, T3, T2 and E7 (snorkel) - Deputy Chief April 6, 1966 - Promoted to A/C April 1, 1972 - Director of EMS 1972 - Retired September 1, 1982 -

Charles S Walker - Appointed March 1, 1956 Badge #100 - Served Motor Machinist Mate, Weapons Technician in US Navy July 6, 1943 thru April 20, 1946 - European Theatre Star American Defense Victory Medal - Served at E5 as FF - Captain June 1, 1965 - Deputy Chief March 1, 1970 - Assistant Chief April 1, 1972 - Retired August 1, 1988 - Brother-in-Law of AC Joseph Dayspring

Joseph Forbes March 1, 1960

Gabriel Aboyoun May 18, 1992

Joseph "Joe" Forbes - Served US Marine Corps October 6, 1955 thru October 3, 1958 - Appointed March 1, 1960 - Served E6 B shift, then E9, "B" shift, then E5, "A" shift & then E5" TOUR 4 = promoted to Captain December 12, 1967 & assigned Squad 1, TOUR 4 & then set up Company with 1954 REO Rescue Truck & transferred to E5, TOUR 1 -March 1 1972 Promoted to Deputy Chief Tour 1, as floater, later assigned as 1st Bn. TOUR 1 - December 12, 1974 promoted to Assistant Chief remained on TOUR 1 December 18, 1978 assigned as TOUR 3 Commander continued to September 1992 - September 1992 assigned as Communications Officer, upgraded radio system to multiple channels; developed and implemented E 911 plan for Passaic County and PFD; conducted intensive training program for all Fire alarm operators. Produced specifications for E 911 equipment for PFD and PPD, oversaw installation and operation at both Departments. Retired from PFD February 1, 1995; 35 years --- Appointed as Emergency Management Coordinator County of Passaic, continuing as Fire Coordinator for Passaic County Overseeing Mutual Aid Response for all 16 Municipalities. Completed 12 years June 1, 2006 fully retired.

Gabe Aboyoun - Appointed May 18, 1992 - Captain December 18 2006 - Battalion Chief April 30, 2013 - Assistant Chief July 2, 2020 - Died August 18, 2020

Alejandro Alicea served as Assistant Chief from March 28, 2023 until November 29, 2023 when he became Chief of Department (was Acting Chief from August 1, 2023).

CLICK HERE regarding his career as Chief

Acting Chioeg Alicea