Longtime police chief dies

Ed Zunino retired last year after 42 years in law enforcement

KENNETT SQUARE >> Ed Zunino, a longtime Kennett Square police chief, died Friday morning. He retired last year after 42 years in law enforcement.

Zunino had been battling cancer for several years.

Zunino was and raised in Kennett Square, and went to Kennett High School. He joined the Kennett Square Police Department in 1974 as an auxiliary officer and became a part-time officer in 1975 when he graduated from the police academy. He was hired full time in 1976 and has been Kennett Square’s police chief since 2007.

In October of last year, scores of law enforcement officials, local lawmakers, District Attorney Tom Hogan, chief county detective Kevin Dykes, Common Pleas Judge Patrick Carmody, family and friends were among more than 250 people to attend a retirement send-off for Zunino.

“When the community is safe

and people feel safe and can live and work safely, that’s when businesses thrive and people move to town,” Kennett

Square Mayor Matt Fetick said at the event held at the Red Clay Room in Kennett Square. “The chief’s leadership made that possible.”

At the event, Zunino told his wife, Lois, he loved her and thanked her for support

over the years.

“I very much enjoyed my career,” Zunino said at the time. “It’s a difficult transition because I loved what I did. But I knew it was time, and I think I made the right move. We have excellent people taking over.”

Zunino was showered with awards, plaques and citations. He even received a key to the borough, and a street sign named in his honor.

Rep. Steve Barrar and Rep. John Lawrence presented Zunino with a state

flag that was flown over the Capitol in Harrisburg.

“You certainly have left this town better off than you found it,” Barrar said. “The people love you and you deserve our respect. We thank you for your service and the many, many years of protecting the citizens of Kennett Square.”

Fetick credited Kennett Square’s success to Zunino, saying he led with distinction.

“He is such a humble person,” Fetick said.

FRAN MAYE DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Ed Zunino and his wife, Lois, pictured at a ceremony in Ed’s honor held in Kennett Square in October of last year.