LAKEWOOD, N.J. – A downtown Lakewood street has been renamed in honor of late Fire Chief Richard C. “Dick” Wallace, recognizing a lifetime of service that began at the same intersection more than 60 years ago.
The Lakewood Township Committee unanimously approved renaming Division Street “Chief Richard C. Wallace Way” following Wallace’s death in July. Lakewood Fire Station 1 sits at Division Street and Monmouth Avenue, where Wallace began his fire service career in 1963.
- Division Street in Downtown Lakewood has been renamed Chief Richard C. Wallace Way.
- Wallace joined the Lakewood Fire Department in 1963 and served as chief of department from 1988 to 1990.
- The U.S. Air Force veteran remained a member of the department until his death in July.
Wallace’s connection to Lakewood’s emergency services stretched across generations. He began as a volunteer firefighter, became one of the department’s first career firefighters and continued serving the community for the remainder of his life.
Wallace Began His Lakewood Fire Career in 1963
Wallace’s career with the Lakewood Fire Department began with Engine Company No. 1 at Fire Station 1.
He joined in 1963 and eventually became one of Lakewood’s first career firefighters.
Wallace steadily rose through the department’s ranks before serving as chief from 1988 through 1990. Even after his time leading the department ended, his involvement with Lakewood’s first responder community continued.
He remained a member of the fire department until his death.
Wallace was also a Life Member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and the Lakewood Fireman’s Exempt Association.
His service extended beyond the township.
Wallace served with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service from 1963 until 2011, eventually becoming a district warden.
Street Dedication Creates Permanent Tribute Downtown
Choosing Division Street for the honorary name gives the tribute particular significance because of its location beside the firehouse where Wallace’s career began.
Lakewood Fire Station 1, home of Engine Company No. 1, stands at the intersection of Division Street and Monmouth Avenue in Downtown Lakewood.
Committeeman and Emergency Services Liaison Meir Lichtenstein said he had personally watched Wallace serve the community.
“It is the Committee’s honor to dedicate a street as a permanent tribute to Chief Wallace,” Lichtenstein said. “I’ve had the privilege to see Chief Wallace in action on various occasions, and saw firsthand his genuine dedication to Lakewood and saving lives.”
Lichtenstein said Wallace’s decision to remain involved throughout his life reflected the kind of firefighter he was.
“True to his character, Chief Wallace chose to remain an active member of Lakewood’s first responder community for life,” Lichtenstein said. “We all owe him an immense debt of gratitude for his service.”
Six Decades of Service to Lakewood
Wallace’s record spanned a period of enormous change in both the township and the fire service.
When he joined in 1963, Lakewood was a much smaller community. Over the decades that followed, the township grew dramatically, while firefighting equipment, training and emergency response evolved around him.
Wallace remained part of that changing department through his years as a volunteer, career firefighter, chief and longtime member.
His service with the Forest Fire Service also lasted nearly half a century, from 1963 through 2011.
Now his name will remain attached to the downtown street beside the firehouse where that career began.
For Lakewood’s current firefighters and future generations entering Station 1, Chief Richard C. Wallace Way will serve as a permanent reminder of one firefighter’s lifetime of service.
Division Street is now Chief Richard C. Wallace Way.
The Lakewood Township Committee unanimously approved the honorary street name following Wallace’s death in July.
Wallace served the Lakewood Fire Department for more than six decades.
He joined in 1963, became one of the department’s first career firefighters and served as chief from 1988 to 1990.
Wallace was also a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime forest firefighter.
His service with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service stretched from 1963 through 2011, when he had risen to district warden.
Sources: Lakewood Township announcement and Township Committee resolution information.
