The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
WARMLY REMEMBERED
Community embraces memory for retired Police Chief Meeker
ONEIDA, N. Y. » The community is embracing the memory of beloved retired Police Chief David R. Meeker Sr. following his recent passing.
According to his obituary, Meeker, 61, died Saturday morning, Dec. 19, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.
A Vernon- Verona- Sherrill High School graduate, Meeker was a veteran of the Oneida City Police Department since beginning his law enforcement career in 1981, Meeker Sr. was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1989, before attaining the rank of lieutenant in 1998, according to Oneida Dispatch records. A year later in 1999, he was promoted to chief of police, a role he held until retiring in 2017 following a medical leave.
He served the city of Oneida for 36 years total.
Meeker won the 2016 Oneidas Club Police Officer of the Year Award at the annual Charlie Decker Public Safety Dinner in 2017.
In light of his passing, the outpouring a support formeeker Sr. and his family has been great.
The Oneida City Police Department ( OPD) wrote on their Facebook page, “Chief Meeker’s love for the Police Department, our members, and the community, was abundant and apparent throughout his many years. He will surely be missed by so many.”
“Chief was a great guy and will be missed by all,” Oneida Mayor Helen Acker said in a Facebook post offering thoughts and prayers to his family.
Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood wrote a post, stating, “The Madison County Sheriffs Office
would like to express our deepest condolences to the Meeker family for their loss. Chief Meekerwas an amazing leader and is a huge loss for our community.”
Hood praised the late chief for the way he lead law enforcement. “Rest In Peace Chief. Well done.”
The Oneida City Police Benevolent Association - PBA shared a picture of a blue- stripe law enforcement flag with the number 221 in honor of Chief Meeker. The message attached to the picture read, “Please feel free to share this, as a salute to Ret. Chief Meeker and his family during this difficult time.”
The Oneida Parks and Recreation department also paid their respects, sharing their thoughts, condolences, prayers, and an image of the Kallet Theater marquee with the words“R. I. P Chief Meeker” on display.
Residents shared their memories, praise, and kind words on social media. The news of Meeker’s passing on the OPD Facebook page was shared 155 times. Commenters described the late chief as a “wonderful man” and a “faithful servant.”
In response to a kind and anonymous gesture, the OPD were surprised to find a memorial, with candles aglow, set up for Meeker outside of the police department on Saturday night, according to an OPD Facebook post.
This would not be the first time the community has rallied together in support of Chief Meeker.
During the summer of 2016, Meeker suffered a stroke and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. After some setbacks, he was sent to a rehabilitation facility, where he underwent extensive physical and occupational therapy, according to Oneida Dispatch records.
After returning home to recover, his medical costs quickly began to rack up. Subsequently, a benefit was held formeeker andhis family to help cover costs.
At the benefit, residents sported shirts that said “Meeker Strong,” and over 500 people were in attendance, according to a previous report.
Meeker was placed on medical leave due to his complications and later retired in 2017.
The OPD saluted Meeker at the end of their Facebook post, stating, “We have the watch from here, Rest in Peace Chief. # 221.”
Meeker is survived by his wife of 37 years, Geraldine, his two sons and daughter- in- law, David R. and Kimberly Meeker and Christopher J. Meeker his mother, Betty Meeker, his sister and her husband, Sharon and Michael Danaher; his brother, Robert Meeker, four grandchildren, aswell as numerous in- laws and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a. m., Tuesday, Dec. 29, at St. Patrick’s Church. Interment will be made in Glenwood Cemetery. Calling hours are scheduled from 2 to 6 p. m. on Monday, Dec. 28 at Campbell- Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main St., Oneida. Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the John R. Deschamps PBA Scholarship Fund, in memory of Chief Meeker, 109N. Main Street, Oneida.