James N. Rutter

RUTTER, JAMES N., 86 - of Ft. Pierce, FL, former Sheriff of Ocean County, passed away, on Monday, October 27, at his daughter's home in Hurt, VA. He was a resident of Fort Pierce, FL. and Madison Heights, VA. He was born and raised in Tuckerton, and lived several years in West Creek, Jim attended St. Helen's Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL. and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lynchburg, VA. He was a 1941 graduate of Tuckerton High School and was a WWII Veteran serving in the Army's 83rd Infantry Division as a Staff Sergeant. He began his career in 1947 as an Ocean County Corrections Officer. In 1950 he was promoted to Deputy Sheriff, 1956 to Under Sheriff. In 1960 he was made First Under Sheriff and served as Acting Sheriff until he was elected Sheriff in 1964, and served for 15 years, retiring in January 1980. He was a director of the Ocean County Police Academy and the Ocean County Narcotics Bureau, Vice President of the N.J. Sheriff Assn. and served on the National Sheriff's Assn. Board of Directors. He established the Forensic Crime Laboratory, the Bloodhound Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit, Park Patrol Division, Work Release Program for Prisoners, Inmate Services Unit, Marine Fire and Rescue Patrol, and the Crowd Control Tactical Unit. He was responsible for the training of these special units. He was a Founder and Director of Southern Ocean State Bank, former Mayor of Eagleswood Twp., Charter Member of Tuckerton First Aid Squad, West Tuckerton Fire Co., and a Life Member of Eagleswood Fire Co. He was also a member of the Tuckerton Masonic Lodge # 4. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Anna Mae, who passed away on April 19, 2008, his parents, Chester and Marie Rutter, his sister, Doris Ott and his brother, Robert Rutter. He is survived by daughters and their husbands, Margaret and Edward Bennett, Hurt, VA., Cheryl and Walt Martin, Madison Heights, VA., six grandchildren, Edward Bennett and wife Eileen, Salisbury, MD., James Bennett, Manahawkin, David Bennett and wife Cindy, Little Egg Harbor Twp., Michael Bennett, Little Egg Harbor Twp., Amy Whitus and husband Rodney, Rice VA., and Jeffrey Martin and fiancee Abby Chambers, Little Egg Harbor Twp., former granddaughter-in-law, Carol Gray, Manahawkin, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much. A viewing will be held Friday, October 31, from 9 to 11 A.M., at WOOD FUNERAL HOME, 134 EAST MAIN ST., TUCKERTON, N.J., followed by a service at 11:30 A.M. at First United Methodist Church, N. Green St., Tuckerton. Cremation will be private.