Thomas J. Quinn, 67, retired police captain
Thomas J. Quinn, 67, of Phoenixville, a retired Philadelphia Police Department captain who served the force in numerous capacities, died Monday, Jan. 11, of cancer at home.
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Thomas J. Quinn, 67, of Phoenixville, a retired Philadelphia Police Department captain who served the force in numerous capacities, died Monday, Jan. 11, of cancer at home.
Mr. Quinn lived in Philadelphia before moving to Phoenixville.
He was a 1966 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School and a 2001 graduate of the FBI National Academy after four months of intensive training.
Mr. Quinn began his career in 1969 as a patrolman in the 23d District of North Philadelphia.
He went to the 24th District in Kensington and from there moved to the Highway Patrol for eight years.
He was elevated to corporal and worked first in the radio room, and then in the Juvenile Aid Division, and later for the Sex Crimes unit.
He moved to the police department's 35th District as a sergeant, but was sent to the prestigious Civil Affairs unit, where he served protecting dignitaries and managing civil disobedience situations.
Mr. Quinn rose to the rank of lieutenant, working in the Third District, and then transferred to the Homicide Division, where he served as administrative lieutenant.
While there, he started the Crimefighters series with 6ABC-TV anchor-reporter Rob Jennings and became a media figure and spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department. The series, highlighting crimes for which police were seeking evidence, was credited with bringing about numerous arrests.
"He was on TV quite a lot," said his wife, Kathleen Benson Quinn.
"He was a gentleman," said Thomas J. Gibbons Jr., a retired Inquirer reporter. "He was revered by the media."
When Mr. Quinn was promoted to captain, he was reassigned to Southwest Detectives. His final transfer was to the Central Detectives division. He maintained a strong media presence throughout his final years, and received many awards for his service. He retired in 2007.
Part of Mr. Quinn's success was due to his calm, soft-spoken demeanor, said his colleague on the police force, Larry Nodiff, staff inspector assigned to Internal Affairs.
"When he was working as a police officer, he would take people under his wing," Nodiff said. "When he was a sergeant, a lieutenant, and a captain, he would take his subordinates and treat them like family.
"He was very even-keeled. I don't remember him ever raising his voice."
Mr. Quinn enjoyed spending time with family, singing and playing music, golfing, doing volunteer speaking engagements about gun violence, and volunteering on the board of the nonprofit Irish Heritage Theatre.
He liked sports and reading about World War II. He traveled, acted and built model train sets.
"He was tough on the outside, and could be one of the most intimidating figures in the room, but in reality, he was a sensitive, loving man who would literally take a bullet for anyone he loved," his family said.
He met his wife while he was in high school, and she was in grade school. They were married for 44 years.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kirsten; son Thomas Jr.; and four brothers.
A viewing starting at 10 a.m. is to be followed by an 11 a.m. Funeral Service, Monday, Jan. 18, at the Boyd-Horrox-Givnish Funeral Home, 200 W. Germantown Pike, Norristown. Burial is private.
610-313-8102