Manford G. Ayers

MANFORD G. AYERS (dob) 3-15-1930- (dod) 7-18-1990

Chief of Police Leonia NJ

1974-1980

Chief Manford Ayers served the Leonia Police Department from 1953 to 1980 rising through the ranks with honor and integrity. In 1974 he was appointed Chief of Police. Chief Ayers was born in New York City and was a resident of Leonia for for 27 years.

A few of the many accomplishments of Chief Ayers are listed below:

• Member of New Jersey, Bergen County and International Associations of Chiefs of Police

• Member of Police Honor Legion of New Jersey

• NJ State Policemen's Benevolent Association

• New York and New Jersey Detectives Crime Clinic

• Co-Founder of Youth Counseling Service in Leonia (early 1970's)

• Counselor at Monsignor Walt Counseling Center 1970-1973)

• Advisor to Police Training Commission for New Jersey

• Policeman of the Month New York and New Jersey Crime Clinic

• Lifesaving award Bergen County Police Chiefs Association

• Saved an octogenarian resident from his burning home on Richmond Place by singlehandedly bringing him to safety.

• Director of the high profile Kallinger murder case, -1975

Chief Ayers was noted to have updated police department equipment, technology, and more and by the end of his tenure to have brought Leonia Police Department recognition as a stellar department of its time . The Borough progressed to one of the best educated and trained police officers.

Chief Ayers was known as a freind of Leonia youth having positive rapport with them, and never easy going about their problems. His door always open to the youth. Signified in a quote from Warren "Zig" Zeigler who recalls Chief Ayers with gratitude, "With guideance from Chief Ayers and from my father Sheriff Officer Ed Zeigler a Bergen County Sheriffs Officer and once a Leonia Police Officer - I moved forward from being an orginal Leonia hippie to an Officer of the Bergen County Sheriffs Department".

Chief Ayers and his wife Elsie (nee Klicska), raised three children, Deborah, Beth Anne and Manford Jr while serving and residing in the community of Leonia (Richmond Place). Upon retirement, Chief Ayers accepted the position of Director Of Public Safety of Drew University and Chief of Security for College Of St Elizabeth in Madision NJ and founded the Ayers Detective Agency. He continued his legacy as freind of the youth and crafting stellar university public safety community until his untimely death in 1990. As quoted in The Record 4 25 1980 "Chief Ayers Leonia s Police Chief: politiican and freind of youth." "When the borough bids farewell to its Police Chief May 1, it will be losing a consummate politician who could get along with all factions in this often quarrelsome community and more then that get them to unite behind ideas."