Town of Newburgh Deputy Police Chief Robert DeSaye passed away yesterday at the age of 54, the Police Department announced today. He was once named the Orange County Police Officer of the Year.
DeSaye served the Town of Newburgh Police Department for over 20 years, but worked for other police departments prior. Collectively, he completed nearly 25 years of public service.
In less than two months, DeSaye, who was a lieutenant at the time, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, partial kidney failure, and then cancer. His form of cancer was one of the rarest, most aggressive, and most treatment resistant types known. His autoimmune disorder limited his already low treatment options.
When all the grim news hit at once earlier this year, DeSaye worked rapidly to get his estate in order for his wife, daughter, and son. Doctors told him he would not survive.
A leader, professional, and educator, DeSaye was promoted to Sergeant on June 24, 2010 and Lieutenant on December 29, 2016. He was promoted to Deputy Chief on June 13, 2022.
As a Sergeant, Deputy Chief of Police DeSaye served as Team Leader of the Tactical Team in 2008. As Lieutenant, he served as Tactical Team Commander in 2018 and worked as an accident reconstruction expert, general topics instructor, firearms Instructor, and defensive tactics instructor. He also spent many years teaching at the police academy providing instruction to new recruits.
Prior to joining the Town of Newburgh Police Department, DeSaye served in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Village of Walden Police Department, and City of Beacon Police Department. He was also voted Orange County Officer of the Year for 1999.
Newburgh Deputy Town Supervisor Scott Manley, who is a retired Town of Newburgh Police sergeant and worked with DeSaye for many years, observed, “When he first became a Town of Newburgh Police officer, I was his sergeant and could see from day one he was going to be a great leader.” Manley called it a “huge loss to the DeSaye family, the Town of Newburgh Police family, and our community as a whole.”
At the time of DeSaye’s promotion to Deputy Chief, the Newburgh Town Board wrote in a statement, “Throughout his tenure, Deputy Police Chief DeSaye has provided exemplary public service, shown
utmost respect for the legal system, and set an example of conduct in his professional life for others
to follow.” They explained that he “has shown compassion to all individuals that he has come in contact with.”
DeSaye’s obituary will be forthcoming.
