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STAMFORD, Conn. - Former Police Chief George W. Mayer, a lifelong resident of Stamford, died Friday, July 5. He was 84.
Mayer was born Nov. 18, 1928, to George W. Mayer Sr. and Isobel Dean Mayer. He graduated from Stamford High School in the Class of 1946.
He served in the U.S Army from 1946 to 1948 and again from 1950 to 1953. While stationed in Germany, he served as ordnance officer for the 28th Infantry Division. He was appointed a patrolman with the Stamford Police Department in 1959. In 1960, he graduated from the first ever Connecticut Chiefs of Police Academy, which was held in Bethany.
In 1964, Mayer was assigned to the Detective Bureau as a plainclothes officer. Later that year, he was assigned with Detective Thomas Rowan to form the department's first crime squad to fight narcotics, gambling and organized crime. In 1967, he was promoted to detective and in 1974 to lieutenant. He served as shift commander in the uniform division. In 1975, he graduated from the FBI National Academy, and in 1976, he was appointed commander of the department’s Special Service Squad.
In 1981, Mayer was appointed to deputy chief in charge of operations, commanding the Uniform Division, the Detective Bureau, the Special Service Squad, the Youth Bureau and the Identification Bureau.
He was appointed Chief of Police on Aug. 8, 1988, and served until his retirement in April 1994, ending a career of 35 years with the Stamford Police Department.
Mayer was also a member of the Stamford Police Association, the Police Association of Connecticut, International Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy Association, BPO Elks Lodge No. 899, American Legion Post No. 3, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9617, The State Street Debating Society and the Springdale Fire Department.
Also, before his retirement he was a member of the Fairfield County Detectives Conference, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, National Narcotics Enforcement Association, National Association of Bunco Investigators, International Association of Homicide Investigators, International Association of Arson Investigators and the Tri-State Organized Crime Council.
Mayer is survived by several nieces. He was predeceased by his parents; and his wife, Patricia Hunley Mayer.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no calling hours and no funeral services. Burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Building, Memphis, TN 38105.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, is in charge of the arrangements.
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