Voorhees bids farewell to Police Chief Hummel
Mayor’s Message: Michael Mignogna
June 30 will mark the end of an era in the Voorhees Township Police Department as Chief Keith Hummel retires after serving our community tirelessly and passionately for over three decades.
Chief Hummel’s service to Voorhees started in 1980 when he was sworn in as a Police Officer after serving as a part-time officer in Gibbsboro. He quickly made his mark on our department and was promoted to Sergeant in 1984, serving as a platoon supervisor for six years. In 1990, Keith was promoted to Lieutenant where he served in several different divisions. During this period, he also graduated from the NJSCOP West Point Command Leadership Program. In 1996, he was promoted to Captain. Upon the retirement of Chief Earl Odd in 1998, Keith became our Chief of Police.
During his tenure as Chief, he served as First Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator and later as Coordinator. He also successfully completed the prestigious 11- week FBI National Academy Program.
Most people know Chief Hummel the cop. Few people know Keith Hummel the man. Born in Camden in 1957, he grew up in Cherry Hill and graduated from Cherry Hill High School East in 1975. He went on to play wide receiver on the Geneva College Football Team in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He then graduated magna cum laude from Glassboro State College in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law and Justice. Keith received his Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2005. He later became an adjunct professor at both FDU and Gloucester County College.
Before beginning his career in law enforcement, Keith worked for his family’s business, Hummel Engineering Corporation, as a construction estimator and project manager.
Keith and his wife, Linda, have been married for 35 years and have two sons, David and Kyle. David and his wife, Tracy, live in North Carolina with their two sons, Bradley and Nicholas. Kyle lives in Philadelphia.
Keith loves all sports and has been a respected high school football referee for over 10 years. He also enjoys sailing, golfing and skiing.
For 32 years, Keith Hummel protected and served Voorhees Township. In his 14 years as Chief of Police, he led what I believe is the finest Police Department in the State of New Jersey. They make us feel safe and allow our families to sleep peacefully at night. As Keith Hummel’s reign as Chief ends, a new era begins with the promotion of Captain Lou Bordi to the position of Chief of Police. Lou is a lifelong Voorhees resident and a 24-year veteran of our Police Department. Under his leadership, our Police Department will continue to thrive.
On behalf of the Voorhees Community and the other members of the Township Committee, we are thankful to Chief Keith Hummel for his many years of service and wish him a long and healthy retirement!
** The Voorhees Town Center Farmers’ Market will be held every Saturday through October 27 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Special Events Plaza outside the entrance to Town Hall. The market features Jersey fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, honey, wine and much more from vendors throughout the Delaware Valley.
** The next show in our 2012 Summer Twilight Series is Thursday, July 12, with the return engagement of Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles. Enjoy the timeless music of one of the most famous bands of the 70s. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Connolly Park and is free.
