Douglas P. MacDonald

1950 - 2024

Douglas P. MacDonald (Ret. Assistant Chief of Police, New Haven)
January 18, 1950 - August 27, 2024
Douglas P. MacDonald - (Ret. Assistant Chief of Police, City of New Haven), 74, of West Branford, passed away peacefully at Yale New Haven Hospital on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, with his daughter and son by his side. Doug was larger than life and spent his final healthy day doing what he cherished most, captaining his boat "No Alibi" on a fishing excursion with his family aboard, and later enjoying the company of close friends over dinner. The next day he suffered a massive stroke.
He will be missed by his children, Dr. Christine M. Signore (Stephen), and David W. MacDonald (Jennifer), and their mother, Carol (Warren) MacDonald; his grandchildren, Olivia and Jackson Signore, and Jagger and Carson MacDonald; his sister-in-law, Sandra (Deering) MacDonald; his nieces, Kate Haueisen (Tov), and Anne Dempster (Robert); several cousins, and countless dear friends. He was predeceased by his brother, David R. MacDonald.
Doug was born in Milford, CT, on January 18, 1950, a son of the late Harry A. MacDonald and Helen (Donnelly) MacDonald and was a graduate of West Haven High School. His career in public safety began as an Ambulance Driver for New Haven Ambulance. He then graduated from the New Haven Police Academy in 1972 and was sworn in in a hotel room by the mayor to enable him to immediately start his law enforcement career as an Undercover Narcotics Officer. He continued his career transitioning to a Patrol Officer followed by promotion to the rank of Detective. He then was named District Supervisor of Community Patrol Operations. During this tenure, he achieved the rank of Sergeant in 1990. While working full-time for the N.H.P.D., Doug concurrently was the owner and agent of Laurel View Associates Real Estate Co., and kept active in real estate for many years. In 1993, he was named Officer in Charge of the Narcotic Enforcement Unit and was also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He also served as the Supervisor of Family Services, Domestic Violence Units and Crisis/Hostage Negotiation. After successful completion of the F.B.I. Academy Advanced Hostage Negotiation School, Doug acted as the N.H.P.D.'s lead negotiator for the Hostage/Crisis Negotiating Team. Doug furthered his education by obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven. He attended the P.E.R.F. Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Yale University School of Management-Management Training Institute. In 1997, Doug was sworn in as Assistant Chief of Police by Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and worked alongside Chief of Police Melvin H. Wearing. Doug was a principal architect in developing the concept of Youth Oriented Policing. He was a fellow at the Yale Child Study Center and served as Co-Director of the Child Development-Community Policing Program where he testified before the U.S. Senate over the need to address children and violence issues. Doug was instrumental in the design and implementation of "Project One Voice," a partnership between law enforcement, probation, parole, and corrections. He also was a Core Group Member of the New Haven Gun Project in collaboration with the U.S. States Attorney's Office, and was a recipient of the F.B.I. Directors Community Leadership Award in 1999.
He retired from the N.H.P.D. in 2003 and began a new career path with the Knights of Columbus, retiring as Director of Security in 2013. Although he was still anchored in his beloved city of New Haven while overseeing security of the K. of C. Headquarters and Museum, he was also responsible for the security of Senior Executives who traveled extensively. Doug traveled the world with them meeting many memorable people and visiting many sacred places. He was a member of K. of C. Counsel - St. Thomas More #13500 and became a 4th Degree Knight of Assembly #2459 of New Haven. While working for the Knights, his Catholic faith was renewed and he devoted himself to his faith. He was a devout parishioner of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, where he served as a Trustee. In retirement, he still stayed active by being the proprietor of No Alibi, LLC Security Consultant.
Doug was involved in his community in many ways. He served as a member of the University of New Haven Leadership in Policing Advisory Board, the Farnam Neighborhood House Board of Directors, the International Police Chiefs Assoc., the CT Chiefs of Police Association, and the Justice Education Foundation Board of Directors. He also was a member of the New Haven Elks Lodge #25.
Although Doug's career was time consuming, he made plenty of time to live it up! If the weather was nice, you could find him on his boat in Branford. He loved saltwater fishing and cherished all the friends he made over the years at the marinas. Many adventures and memories were made on the "Louis R.", "Insanity Belle" and "No Alibi". Later in life when his grandchildren arrived, he was a reliable fan at their sporting events, often bringing something that he cooked up the night before. He loved socializing, having a night out with friends, and paid many fines at Porcini International.
Doug's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Emily Gilmore and the entire staff of Yale New Haven Hospital Neuro I.C.U. for the excellent care they provided as well as the compassion shown to both Doug and his family.
Doug's family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 a.m., directly at St. Bernadette Church, 385 Townsend Ave., New Haven. Interment at St. John Cemetery in Wallingford will be private. Gifts in Doug's memory may be sent to: St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, 355 Foxon Rd., East Haven, CT 06513, or to: Tunnel to Towers (www.t2t.org)
www.wallingfordfh.com