Kevin Tucker

June 19, 2012

Epsilon 1962-1963

Kevin M. Tucker, Epsilon Pledge Class, Graduated 1965

Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin M. Tucker, died on June 19, 2012, two days prior to his 72nd birthday

Kevin M. Tucker was born June 21, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. From 1958 to 1961, he served as a military police officer in Chinon, France. After completing his military service, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science from Kean College (then Newark State College) in 1965. While at Newark State College, he pledged and was accepted as a Brother of Sigma Beta Tau Fraternity in 1962 as part of the Epsilon Pledge Class and remained an active brother in its Alumni Organization. He is also a graduate of Harvard School for Senior Management, the Federal Executive Institute and the Brookings Institute for Senior Fellows.

Mr. Tucker entered the United States Secret Service on June 7, 1965. Tucker had a 20 year career as a Secret Service agent, starting out as a member of a team assigned to protect former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her children.

His assignments included participation in the Organized Crime Strike Force in Newark, New Jersey and various criminal investigations in numerous major cities throughout the United States.

In 1971, he was transferred to Washington, D.C. as the Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge and was later promoted to Senior Inspector responsible for analyzing world-wide operations and the management of Secret Service programs.

Subsequently, Mr. Tucker served as Special Agent-in-Charge of the United States Secret Service Intelligence Division, with responsibility for all protective intelligence relating to the President, Vice President and all foreign Heads of State visiting this Country.

In 1978, he was promoted to Special Agent-in-Charge of Philadelphia, with responsibility for five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

He had just resigned as director of the Philadelphia Secret Service office when he was chosen to lead the Philadelphia Police Department. He was tapped by Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode to take the helm of a dysfunctional and corrupt police department in 1985 following the disastrous bombing of a house occupied by members of the radical group Move. In January 1986, Mr. Tucker accepted the position of Police Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia, managing a $278 million budget and eight thousand five hundred employees.

During his tenure, Tucker created a special task force which led to the establishment of community policing and other innovations. He instituted an anti-corruption campaign and implemented reforms that continue to influence the department to this day. Within two years, a citizens’ watchdog group stated that Tucker had “proven wrong those who believed that the Philadelphia Police Department was so entrenched in its mediocrity that change was impossible.”

Mr. Tucker has written numerous articles on terrorism and other law enforcement issues in various publications. He is the former Chairman of the Philadelphia Federal Executive Board and a Charter Member of the Senior Executive Service. He currently serves on the President’s Commission on White House Fellows, the Board of Directors of the corporate Alliance for Drug Addiction, INROADS, Inc., Philadelphia Council-Boy Scouts of America, Police Athletic League, Sunday Breakfast Club, and Variety Club.

Subsequently in 1988, Mr. Tucker was appointed Senior Vice President of PNC Bank, responsible for administration, legal counsel, human resources, procurement, real estate operation and compliance. He held that position until 1991.

Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1990, Tucker subsequently became involved with The Wistar Institute, a National Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He served for more than 12 years as a member of the Board of Managers and as Board chair from 1998 until 2005. In 2007, Tucker was named Wistar’s “Man of the Year” for his continued commitment and dedication to cancer research.

Kevin Tucker met his wife, the former Judy Kreshok at Kean (Newark State College) and they were married for 46 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Kevin; his daughter Christine Boyle; three brothers; a sister; and four grandchildren.

NY Times Obituary on Kevin Tucker.