Steve Palamara, Police Chief of Irvington, NJ, Passes Away

Palamara’s appointment as unclassified police director caused two local police unions to file grievances with the Attorney General’s Office alleging that she was mismanaging her duties as well as interfering with officers’ responsibilities.

Today is wonderful to welcome Sharn back as one of our special guests. Sharn lives close by! We appreciate having her here with us today.

Early Life and Education

Palamara was born and educated at Roosevelt High School, earning varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and hockey – each sport earning him a letter for all three sports. After graduation he received an Evans Scholarship to Michigan State University where he majored in hotel, restaurant and institutional management.

He has served in both the Michigan House of Representatives and Wayne County Commissioner capacities, sponsoring numerous bills that became state law – such as legislation mandating DNA testing of felons convicted of crimes as well as legislation regulating athletic agents.

He has spent millions to improve local parks throughout Downriver using funds from the county’s park millage tax. Additionally, he serves on both Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital’s board and Michigan Association of Counties’ membership lists.

Professional Career

Steve Palamara served as a police officer for several years before becoming Director of Public Safety in South Orange and later Police Chief in Irvington, New Jersey. Additionally, he joined the air force and worked as a disc jockey. Steve is predeceased by his mother Josephine Scanniello and brother Leo Palamara but survived by Camille Corda Palamara, their children Caitlin Aldahondo and Wilson Palamara as well as Aiden (grandson). Additionally he had one sister who lived in Greenville South Carolina named Jean Palamara who lived nearby.

He was selected as one of 99 players invited to Arena Football League Training Camp and will join Maryland Commandos’ regular season start up this July. A native of Montclair, New Jersey.

Achievement and Honors

Frank Palamara was among four Roosevelt High School alumni that left an indelible imprint on Michigan State University sports. Alongside Frank Palamara, George Stepanovic and Frank Modine he earned various team and individual accolades.

In 1992, South Orange requested and the Department of Personnel approved an open competitive examination limited to residents of that township for its police chief position. Unions opposed both aspects of this examination procedure as retaining Palamara; the Board upheld their ruling and denied their appeals before the Attorney General’s Office.

Personal Life

Palamara is an active member of Trenton/Wyandotte Lodge of Masons and sits on its board, while also serving on Downriver Council for the Arts board. He and his wife Noel live in Wyandotte with two children and one grandchild.

He has served in both the Michigan House of Representatives and Wayne County Commission. On the latter, he is widely praised for leading it into consecutive budget surplus years while sponsoring over $1 Million worth of local improvements using its parks millage fund.

Galeski and Palamara graduated 12 years apart but share something in common – they will both be honored with induction into Theodore Roosevelt High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame on March 26. Both are extraordinary athletes who have made remarkable contributions in their fields of endeavor.