Gary L. Daniels, former sheriff, recalled for breaking barriers, building connections

MOUNT HOLLY — Gary L. Daniels was a patrolman, an assistant prosecutor and a public safety director before serving two terms as Burlington County’s sheriff.

Then, he went into private practice, helping clients for 17 years from a law office on High Street in Mount Holly.

But despite that impressive resume, Daniels’ legacy lies in his impact on others, family members say.

“His accomplishments were expansive, but the love he had in his heart was immeasurable,” the family said in a statement Friday.

Daniels, 66, died Dec. 5 at his Eastampton home.

“Gary had a magnetic personality. Everybody was drawn to him,” said state Sen. Jean Stanfield, who was Daniels’ undersheriff.

Daniels served as sheriff from 1996 until August 2001, when he retired from the post.

“As one of New Jersey’s first Black sheriffs, he helped break barriers for other minorities and forge stronger connections between law enforcement and our communities,” said a statement from Burlington County’s commissioners, Sheriff Anthony Basantis and Undersheriff Jim Kostoplis.

“Gary had a forward-looking perspective,” recalled Stanfield, noting Daniels introduced outreach programs to build ties between law enforcement and the community.

“That wasn’t really the norm at the time. He was making sure our department was out with the people,” said Stanfield.

Daniels encouraged Stanfield, a fellow Republican, to run as his successor, she added.

"He was a great mentor," said Stanfield, noting she sought the sheriff's post to continue Daniel's community-focused approach. Stanfield served as sheriff from 2002 to 2019.

Daniels, a Kansas native who grew up in Mount Holly, entered the Marine Corps after graduation from Rancocas Valley High School.

He served as a police officer in Burlington City, then moved to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office as a detective. He became an assistant prosecutor after being admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1987.

Daniels was public safety director for the Burlington County Bridge Commission before being elected sheriff.

He also taught criminal justice at the former Burlington County College.

“Aside from his family, he enjoyed long rides on his motorcycle on sunny days and spending summer hours going for rides on his boat along the Delaware River,” an obituary says.

“His jokes, stories and the renditions of his experiences provided amazingly funny moments with him,” it continued.

Survivors include Mr. Daniels’ sons, Trevor of Westampton and Evan of Eastampton; two grandchildren; his father, James; and his former wife and friend, Tina Cirillo.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family starting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Rose Garden Tent at Smithville Mansion, Eastampton.

Remembrances will be shared at 2 p.m.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Gary L. Daniels, former sheriff in Burlington County, dies at 66