John K Hammel

John K. Hammel, 82, of Myrtle Beach, SC, formerly of River Edge, NJ, on December 25, 2025.  Devoted husband of Jane, nee Salomon. Loving father of Colleen Schwabik (Ken) and John “Jay” (Jen). Caring stepfather of Drs. Jeff and Heather Pacheco, Chris and Leigh Pacheco. Dear grandfather of Liam, Donovan and Tadhg Schwabik, Emma, Isabelle, Tobin and Rowan Pacheco. Beloved brother to Valerie McCarthy, Virginia Hammel, Kathleen Patterson, Brian Hammel and Margot Perrone. Predeceased by his first wife, Alice Grainger (2001), his parents, George and Marjorie (Prenderville) Hammel and his brother, George.

John was born in Brooklyn, NY.  He moved with his family, to River Edge, NJ in 1943. He graduated from Bergen Catholic HS (1962) in Oradell, NJ, where he excelled at basketball. He held the high school record for the total career points scored at Bergen until the three point shot was established in high schools. In his senior year, he was named All County and All State in the sport, as well as High School All American by Sport magazine and received forty college athletic scholarship offers, accepting the one to Loyola University in New Orleans, LA.

John was drafted into the US Army in June of 1967 and served a tour of duty in the war in Viet Nam. He was honorably discharged in 1969 having received  the National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his service. In 1970, John became a police officer on the River Edge Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant, heading the Juvenile Bureau and becoming the first DARE Officer in the borough. He served the department for 28 years before retirement in 1998 and continued, as a civilian, doing a tour of duty in the town grammar schools, as a lecturer on school history and growing up in River Edge.

During his police service, John graduated from Bergen Community College, Paramus NJ with a degree in Police Science and from Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Tunnel 2 Towers organization, https://t2t.org/donate/ would be appreciated.

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