THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 7, 1996 TAG: 9610070048
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 95 lines
Ian M. Shipley Jr., who started as a police patrolman and rose through the ranks over three decades to become the city's chief in 1990, died Sunday night after suffering a heart attack.
Shipley, who would have turned 56 in three weeks, was jogging in the Indian River section of the city near his home when he collapsed about 9 p.m. near Smith Street and Providence Road, police spokesman Elizabeth Jones said.
Two citizens came to his aid, and a police officer who arrived a few moments later helped administer first aid until rescue crews arrived. Jones said Shipley was conscious at the time.
He was taken to Chesapeake General Hospital, where he died at 9:25 p.m.
``He was in good shape,'' said Councilman Peter P. Duda Jr. shortly after being advised of the chief's death. ``I couldn't believe it. I'm still in shock. I just couldn't believe it.''
Shipley played golf at least three times a week and jogged regularly.
He had planned - but had not yet publicly announced - to retire as chief on April 1.
Mayor William E. Ward, who went to the hospital to comfort Shipley's family, called the chief a ``tremendous leader who modernized the Police Department.''
Deputy Chief Richard Justice will take the helm until a new chief can be named.
Dr. John M. deTriquet said that in the 2 1/2 years he has served on City Council, he had come to know Shipley as ``a great police officer'' and ``and a great man.''
Shipley's lasting mark may be his efforts to raise the level of professionalism within the department, deTriquet said.
``He has really taken that word, service, to the people as the department's signature,'' deTriquet said. All members of the force have come to ``take it seriously, and I know that's something that Chief Shipley wanted.''
Shipley's efforts appeared to have won the respect of residents.
In an annual survey of citizens, ``the Police Department always got very high ratings,'' said Mark S. Cox, the city's director of public affairs. ``That's largely attributable to his efforts. People feel safe in this city.''
A police officer for more than 35 years, Shipley had been working in administration for the past 15 years. But he never lost his affection or concern for the cop on the beat, colleagues said, having started there himself.
A native of Boston, he joined the Chesapeake force in December 1964. He quickly rose through the ranks and took over the top spot at the Police Department on May 1, 1990, after the retirement of former Chief Roland Lakoski.
The transition was eased by their close working relationship.
``For 15 years, we had adjoining offices,'' said Shipley, who was deputy chief at the time. ``I've probably eaten as many meals with Chief Lakoski as I have with my wife in the last 15 years.''
Former City Manager James W. Rein, who served from 1987 to 1995 and appointed Shipley as chief, said it was one of the easiest decisions he made in his tenure.
``It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to move him up,'' Rein said Sunday night. ``He was an outstanding candidate. His reputation and record with the city were just classic.''
Rein said Shipley was the picture of a police chief.
``He was trim and looked better in a uniform than anyone you could imagine,'' he said. ``He had a command presence when he addressed anybody that made you respect him. If it sounds like I am describing George Washington. . . , well, he was excellent.''
Rein said Shipley invigorated the department, instituting extensive training programs to improve the performance of officers at all levels. But he also was a good manager, Rein said, with a strong awareness of fiscal matters.
``He had a great loyalty among his men because he was such a hard worker,'' Rein said. ``It was nothing for him to be down in the department on a weekend; early in the morning; late at night.''
On a personal level, ``It was a delight to be able to work with somebody who was so current on the things in his profession,'' Rein said. ``He would bring me cutting-edge stuff.''
Shipley was in charge of the smallest of Hampton Roads' police departments. Yet it also has one of the largest chunks of territory to serve - about 353 square miles.
Shipley made fighting drugs a priority when he began as chief.
``We intend to show those individuals involved in the use and distribution of drugs, it will not be tolerated in our city,'' he said in June 1991, after a major drug bust.
Sunday night, in Los Angeles for a meeting on transportation issues, City Councilman John W. Butt called Shipley ``a man of integrity'' whose ``death will be a great loss to the Police Department and the entire citizenry of Chesapeake.''
Funeral arrangements were pending late Sunday. The Police Department plans to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. today. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
Ian M. Shipley Jr., who took over the Chesapeake Police Department
in May 1990, suffered a heart attack while jogging Sunday. He was
55.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB