Robert J. Creighton, former Suffolk police commissioner, Smithtown councilman, dies at 86

Robert J. Creighton, a former Suffolk County police commissioner, district attorney’s chief investigator and Smithtown councilman, died Wednesday following a long illness.

Colleagues, family and friends remembered Creighton, 86, as a "legendary" figure in Suffolk County law enforcement, who helped investigate the Southwest Sewer District political corruption scandal, led a budget-strapped police department — and after entering politics served in Smithtown Town government.

Son Bob Creighton, of Smithtown, said his father, rising as a beat cop to police commissioner, was a dedicated police officer who never let his career get in the way of his family.

"He was a great supporter of all of his kids and the strongest cheerleader and sounding board. He was always there for us, was incredibly devoted to my mother for the 65 years they were married and set a great example for us," Bob Creighton said. "He loved his work at every stage of his career and never brought that stress home to his family."

Creighton was born in Washington Heights to an Irish family, one of seven children. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in Manhattan and served three years in the U.S. Navy on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier, before he was discharged in 1958.

He moved to Kings Park where he met his wife Geraldine on a blind date. They later married at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park.

Creighton began working at the Kings Park post office. He enrolled in the first class of the newly formed Suffolk County Police Department in 1961 while simultaneously taking classes at Farmingdale State College. He also earned a master's degree from SUNY Stony Brook in 1971 and attended the FBI Academy in 1974.

Creighton served on the police force for 20 years, earning his detective shield after four years. He became a sergeant in 1970 and a detective sergeant one year later.

"I think he had a tremendous reputation and served with integrity," said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, who worked with Creighton as a young assistant prosecutor. "In many ways, he was a legendary figure in Suffolk County law enforcement."

He retired from the force in 1981 and joined the private sector, in the field of private security, including working for American Express. He joined the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in 1990, where he served as chief investigator until 1992, then became police commissioner before resigning after seven months, citing disputes with the county administration over budget constraints and restructuring. 

He returned to the district attorney's office, where he worked as chief investigator until 1994, going on to work in the private sector again, and then returning to be chief investigator for the district attorney's office from 2002 to 2006. 

Retired Det. Lt. Chuck Lohmann, now chief of the Head of the Harbor police department, said he began working with Creighton when he was a young officer while Creighton was at the district attorney’s office.

"Bob was an iconic figure and avant-garde as a police professional," Lohmann said. "In four decades of Suffolk County law enforcement experience, he was probably the singular most respected and revered cop I ever worked with."

Deputy Commissioner Belinda Alvarez-Groneman said Creighton helped increase diversity in law enforcement and boosted morale. "Commissioner Creighton opened the doors and believed in me," she said. "Because of his leadership, it's who I am today."

In 2007, Creighton turned to politics when he was elected as Smithtown councilman. He became a close ally to then-Councilman Edward Wehrheim, also of Kings Park, and served eight years on the board.

"He accomplished great things in the park system and was a consummate gentleman," Wehrheim said.

Creighton's time on the board included launching an unsuccessful bid for supervisor to oust then-Supervisor Patrick Vecchio in 2013. He lost a primary two years later to fellow Conservative Lisa Inzerillo.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said he met Creighton in 2011, when he helped establish a memorial park for 9/11 first responders in Smithtown.

"When I was elected sheriff, he was supportive of me and was a mentor and a role model," Toulon said. "Mr. Creighton was someone who had integrity, had the best interest in public safety and looked to keep Suffolk County safe."

Besides his son, Creighton is survived by his wife Geraldine, of Kings Park, his daughter-in-law, Cathy Mallarkey Creighton of Smithtown, his daughter Denise Creighton of Kings Park, daughter Deirdre Creighton and her husband Kevin Slatterly of Smithtown, daughter Erin Creighton and her wife Paige Beal of Pittsburgh, and daughter Kerry and her husband Tim McCormick of Boonton, New Jersey. He had nine grandchildren.

Visitation is planned from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Clayton Funeral Home in Kings Park. A funeral Mass is scheduled at noon Monday at the Church of St. Joseph in Kings Park. The service will be livestreamed at www.stjoekp.com/live.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.