HOULTON, Maine — Maintaining a high standard of integrity with law enforcement was always at the forefront for Darrell Malone Sr., a retired police chief with the Houlton Police Department.
A well-known supporter of the local community, both from his time as the town’s chief of police and later in life as both a Mason and member of the Houlton Rotary Club, Malone was also a strong proponent of honoring the memory of fallen police officers.
Malone, 79, died Sept. 6 at his home in Ludlow surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness.
“All of us at the Houlton Police Department are saddened by his passing,” Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca posted on the department’s Facebook page. “During his tenure here at HPD, his leadership brought respect and professionalism to law enforcement in Houlton. Not only are his efforts appreciated, but respected in the law enforcement community still to this day.”
Born Nov. 30, 1941, in Merrill, he learned the value of hard work at a young age and was involved in Boy Scouts, achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Oakfield High School in 1959 and later the University of Maine Presque Isle, earning a degree in criminal justice. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Malone spent 35 years with the Houlton Police Department, beginning his career on Jan. 20, 1966, at 24. After five years of service, he was promoted to sergeant. Five years later, he earned the rank of lieutenant and by 1984 had become chief of the Houlton department — a position he held in high regard until his retirement in November 2001.
After retiring, he began working for Dunn Funeral Home, staying with them for 18 years.
Known for his calm, kind demeanor and a willingness to do any task asked of him, Malone was a strong presence with the Houlton Rotary Club for a number of years. He was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship award, the highest honor Rotary bestows upon an individual.
Malone was also one of the founders of the Maine Law Enforcement Officer Memorial in Augusta, which honors those officers who are slain in the line of duty. He served as a chairman of the committee for many years, reciting the names of the fallen at the annual ceremony.
In 2019, he was presented with the “Distinguished Service Citation,” which is the highest honorable award bestowed by the Houlton Police Department.
“Chief Malone was, first and foremost, a humble and honest man,” said Darrell Crandall, former Aroostook County sheriff. “That is something we could use much more of these days. I don’t ever remember not knowing him. Before his long tenure as chief, he was an effective police officer and talented investigator who loved to share ‘war stories’ from his stint doing undercover work in the 1970s.”
Crandall added Malone had a “genuine, ready smile” for all and was very gracious to less experienced officers who sought his guidance or his calming influence in tense situations.
“He was exceptionally proud of his family, his 36 years with the Houlton Police Department and his tireless work on the Maine Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial, as he had every right to be,” Crandall said. “He ushered in a modern, strong and well respected police department and led with integrity, always. All of us in the Houlton area benefited in some substantive way from Chief Malone’s selfless service in the profession he loved so much. He was one of a kind and will be missed.”
Lt. Brian Harris, commander of the Maine State Police Troop F in Houlton, said Malone was one of his inspirations for pursuing a career in law enforcement.
“As I was growing up, I lived a short distance from Chief Malone in Ludlow. At that time he was a lieutenant at Houlton PD and I would see him occasionally as he stopped by the family farm, or in the community,” Harris said. “He always seemed larger than life in my childhood, not someone I approached, but viewed from afar on how he treated the people in the community and the respect he earned.”
Later in his early teen years, Harris said their paths crossed more often when Malone became police chief.
“Luckily, I stayed on the positive side of interactions with town law enforcement and I was always impressed with how he treated those around him, either those he worked with or the public he served,” he said. “Chief Malone always treated people fairly and with respect, regardless of the reason that he had crossed paths with the person, and I learned a lot from that.”
Once he joined the state police, Harris said Chief Malone became a more constant presence as they operated in the same circles professionally.
“Chief Malone understood the importance of the community and those he served,” Harris said. “Those he worked with were also very important to him. The way he treated those from other agencies has impacted me to this day. He truly understood that regardless of the color of the uniform, we all work together for a common goal, and I strive to keep that same philosophy in my day-to-day decisions in my current position.”
A deacon with the United Baptist Church in Littleton, Malone was also known for his unwavering faith in God and read his Bible daily.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, June (Tingley) Malone of Ludlow; his son, Darrell Jr. (Tina) of Oakfield; and his daughter, Kara Wright (Randy) of Ludlow as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
