Taunton Police Department, Massachusetts

John Simon O'Keefe        

John S. O'Keefe was born in Taunton on May 7, 1866 and died in Taunton on April 4, 1940. He was appointed to the police department in 1903 and served until his retirement in 1939.

Obituary - Friday Apr 05, 1940 Taunton Daily Gazette page 1

Captain John S. O'Keefe, retired police officer, is dead at his home in this city. He was the oldest and one of the most highly esteemed sea captains of this community. He descended from one of the oldest seafaring families in this section being the son of the late John O'Keefe. Following the sea from boyhood there was hardly a harbor or port along the eastern shore of the United States that was not familiar to him. He rose to a master at the age of 21 and commanded the schooners Sally T. Charter and R. S. Dean for many years. He also commanded the famous yacht Pocahontas which was built years ago as a possible defender of the America's Cup. The success which he had as master of these vessels is a solid testimonial to the skill with which he handled the coasting business. About 35 years ago he retired from the sea and became affiliated with the Taunton Police Department, holding his position as a member of that department with distinction and credit. He was known for his fairness in dealing with the "underdog". Last August he retired from his connection with the Taunton Police Department and has spent the remaining from that time to his death in retirement. He has left surviving him two sons, James H. O'Keefe, who is affiliated with the Taunton Fire Department and John H. O'Keefe, attached to the United States Postal Service, and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Captain Simon L. O'Keefe, and his sister Mary O'Keefe of this city. Captain John S. O'Keefe has the respect of the community in which he had passed his life and of all the people with whom he had dealings, and these were numbered by hundreds. Scrupulously honest and straight-forward his life has been well spent and he is mourned by all who knew him. Captain O'Keefe was a communicant of Sacred Heart church and a member of the Taunton Police Relief Association.