Charlie Moffatt remembered as pillar in Western Pa. law-enforcement community

Charlie Moffatt remained close to those he connected with throughout his 50-year law enforcement career, friends said.

“He’s been a part of my family and I’ve been a part of his family. He’s just a wonderful human being and a quality guy,” said Jim Wymard, who first met Moffatt around 1969 when he was an assistant district attorney and Moffatt was a Pittsburgh police officer.

“This community is going to miss him,” Wymard said of Moffatt, who died Sunday morning at 80.

Moffatt served more than 30 years with the Pittsburgh police followed by 12 years with the county police department, from which he retired as superintendent in 2016.

Born Sept. 4, 1941, Moffatt grew up in the Hill District and graduated from Schenley High School. He joined the Air Force right after graduation.

“He didn’t come from a lot of money,” said longtime friend Leo O’Neill, who met Moffatt while both were with the Pittsburgh police. “He did well for himself. He said the Air Force was one of the best things that happened to him.”

Though he ended his career as the head of the county police in 2016, he got his start with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police in 1967, right after he left the Air Force with an honorable discharge. He started as a patrolman in the Hill District. That was where he met his late wife, Jeanne.

“We met when she was working at Mercy Hospital and I was a policeman in the Hill District and always going there,” Moffatt told the Tribune-Review after his wife’s death in 2011. “She was a good person and a good-looking woman.”

Over the next three decades, Moffatt served as a lieutenant, homicide detective, commander and deputy chief, and he put himself through college at the University of Pittsburgh along the way. Chief Scott Schubert served alongside Moffatt over the years, and he praised his storied career.

“It was an honor knowing and learning from him my entire career,” Schubert said. “I considered him a mentor and a friend.”

Moffatt was tapped as county police superintendent in early 2004 by then-county Executive Dan Onorato, who called him a “stabilizing force,” according to newspaper archives.

When Moffatt took over the county department, his position as Pittsburgh deputy chief was filled by colleague Bill Mullen. Mullen later went on to serve as Allegheny County sheriff, a position he still holds until sheriff-elect Kevin Kraus takes over early next year.

Mullen and Moffatt rose through the ranks in Pittsburgh together, both taking the lieutenant’s test at the same time. They were sworn in together in December 1979.

“He had a strong sense of humor, but he knew his policies and he was pretty strict with his people,” Mullen said. “And if you needed something, he was right there.”

Kraus, who worked with Moffatt in the Pittsburgh police and then parallel to him in the county sheriff’s office, said he was a loyal and intelligent friend and mentor.

“He was a pillar in the law enforcement community for a long time,” Kraus said.

O’Neill said they used to call him the oracle.

“He just remembered so many things,” he said. “If you needed something, call Charlie – he’s your guy.”

Kraus said that even in retirement, Moffatt made time for anyone who asked for his ear.

“He took an interest in the younger cops and teaching them things and making them better police and even better people,” he said.

Beyond public service, his friends said, Moffatt was dedicated to his family, and in retirement, he was helping look after his grandchildren while their parents were at work.

“He said a couple times, ‘I think I maybe took on too much, I can’t remember it being this busy when I was younger,’ ” Mullen said.

Upon his retirement, Moffatt called it an honor to have served alongside the men and women of his department.

“The men and women of the Allegheny County Police serve with honor and give selflessly to protect and serve our residents,” he said in 2016. “I am proud to have served with them.”

But it was Moffatt who was the epitome of service, Wymard said.

“He has served his whole life,” he said. “He served his country, his city, his county, and he served his family.”

Moffatt is survived by his son Patrick, daughters Bridget and Maggie, and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held Wednesday and Thursday at William Slater II funeral home in Scott. A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Margaret of Scotland, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family members suggest donations to the Leukemia Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.