Former Hatfield Township Police Chief M. Robert Turner Jr. died Saturday evening at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, Pa., following a lengthy illness. He was 81.

He was the father of current Montgomery County Detective Robert Turner and the father-in-law of Hatfield Township Sergeant Jane E. Robertson.

Born in Philadelphia, Chief Turner dedicated himself to a career in law enforcement, serving in Montgomery County as a police officer for 33 years.

Chief Turner began his law enforcement career in 1955 serving as a patrol officer in Upper Moreland Township, where he continued through the ranks and served as both sergeant and lieutenant. Following a competitive exam, he was appointed Chief of police of the Hatfield Township Police Department in 1965, becoming the youngest police Chief in the history of Montgomery County. This police department grew under his leadership from one small room with four police officers to the present building. While Chief in Hatfield Township, he established the first K-9 Unit in Montgomery County.

During his time as police chief, Chief Turner especially enjoyed visiting with the children of Hatfield Township and Hatfield Borough when he portrayed Santa Claus during the holidays, beginning the tradition that is still upheld by the officers of the police department.

Chief Turner was member of the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #14, where he served as past president and also was recording secretary. He was member of the Police Chiefs Association of Montgomery County, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, The International Association of Chiefs of Police, and a member of the Inter-county Detectives Association.

Chief Turner was a Mason for 49 years. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Friendship Lodge No. 400 in Jenkintown. He was also a member of LuLu Temple Shrine in Plymouth Meeting.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ridge Valley.

Chief Turner is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elaine, their children Susan, Gary, and Robert, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to Masonic Village Hospice, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, Pa, 17022-2199, or to St. John's Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA 18960.

Services will be private.

A celebration of his life will be held during a memorial service at St. John's Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 on Saturday, December 22, 2012 from 9:30 a.m., to 10:00 a.m., to be followed by light refreshments being served from 10:00 a.m., to 11:00 a.m.

 

 

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