Longtime sheriff deputy dies at age 49
Jeffrey J. DiVito, a longtime member of the Sheriff’s Office who was among the “faces” of the county Justice Center, has died.
WEST CHESTER >> Jeffrey J. DiVito, a longtime member of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office who was among the “faces” of the county Justice Center, welcoming and protecting those who came to the courthouse for public business, has died. He was 49.
The announcement of DiVito’s death after a long struggle with cancer came from the Sheriff’s Office after his passing Sunday at his brother’s home in Downingtown. DiVito had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
The Sheriff’s Office published a statement of condolence on its social media page. “With profound sadness, we inform you of the passing of our colleague and friend, Deputy Jeffrey DiVito of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, this weekend,” the sheriff’s office stated on Sunday.
DiVito served in the Chester County Sheriff’s Office for nearly two decades.
“His exemplary career as a deputy included service as a firearms instructor and member of the motorcycle unit,” the sheriff’s office said. “Jeff was a man of high integrity. Even during his illness, he was dependable, reliable, and dedicated to the CCSO, (the) public, and his loved ones.”
DiVito had continued to work in the office despite his illness for several months.
In July 2018, he was the object of a statewide push in a fundraising effort including police departments from one end of Pennsylvania to the other, and members of the public, to stage a massive event involving a convoy of nearly 150 motorcycles and a handful of lawenforcement vehicles.
DiVito’s graduation from the Philadelphia Police Training Bureau’s motorcycle course in 2017 had fulfilled a long-term dream to join the Sheriff’s Office Wheels Unit and ultimately inspired the creation of “Jeff’s Battle Ride” from West Goshen to Exton.
“Jeff has always been – and remains – a very valuable member of the Chester County Office of the Sheriff,” said former Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh at the time. “He’s beloved by all, he’s highly respected, and highly regarded.”
The son of David W. DiVito and Helene Kelly DiVito from Palm Coast, Fla., DiVito was a 1990 graduate of Downingtown Senior High
School and then went on to Hussian School of Art. He began his career as a public servant as an EMT, worked as a security officer at QVC for over 20 years, and, after attending the Montgomery County Police Academy, spent the rest of his working life with the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.
While there he was involved with the Wheels Unit, a firearm instructor, and a DARE teacher.
He is survived by his brother David A DiVito, sister-in-law, Kelli Georg DiVito, and nieces, Madisyn and Makenzie DiVito, all from Downingtown.
A funeral service will be held for Jeffrey on at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Church, 332 Manor Ave, Downingtown where friends may visit from 10 a.m. to noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jeff DiVito Wheel School Scholarship through the Chester County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, 422 Penn Rd, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.