Jim Newby

NEWBY, James Edwin “Jim”, age 86, of Dayton, passed away Monday, July 13, 2026. Jim was born October 28, 1939, to the late Cyrus and Mary (Gayman) Newby.

Jim was a graduate of Hillsboro High School and earned his MBA at the University of Dayton.

Chief Newby served the Dayton Police Department from 1962 until his retirement in 1995, including more than seven years as the Director and Chief of Police from December 1987 to January 1995. Throughout his career, he helped shape the department into a modern law enforcement agency while leaving a lasting impact on generations of Dayton police officers.

He served as Patrol Officer, Narcotics Detective, Homicide Detective, Patrol Supervisor, Commander of the Vice and Narcotics Squad, Detective Sergeant over burglary and auto theft, Supervisor of Police Training at the Dayton Police Academy, Field Lieutenant, Commander of the Central Business District, Commander of Community Service Bureau, Superintendent of Personnel Development, and Superintendent of Operations.

Under Chief Newby’s leadership, the department introduced and expanded several programs that continue to influence policing today. During his tenure, the Dayton Police Department became an international leader in bicycle patrol training, helping establish bike patrol as a standard policing strategy used around the world. He re-established the Mounted Patrol Unit in 1989, launched the department’s first helicopter patrol unit in 1993, and oversaw the creation of the K-9 Unit.

Chief Newby’s commitment to public service continued long after his retirement. He served on numerous community boards and organizations, including the Steve Whalen Memorial Policing Award Committee, Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Heath (ADAMHS) Board of Trustees, the Greater Dayton RTA Board of Trustees, the Children Services Board, the Child Protection Task Force, and the Human Services Levy Council. He also served on the committee that helped establish the Dayton Municipal Court’s Mental Health Court, reflecting on his belief that public safety is strengthened through partnership and compassionate solutions.

Along with his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Ann Newby, and brother, John Newby. Left to cherish his memory are his sons, James Newby and Jay (Angela) Newby; grandsons, Duncan and Jeremy Newby; granddaughters, Lauren Jablonski and Allison Newby; great-grandson, Gryffin James Jablonski; and brother, Bob Newby.

Family will greet friends Thursday, July 23 from 10:00am-1:00pm at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, with Memorial Services beginning at 1:00pm at the funeral home. Jim will be laid to rest in the St. Kateri Preserve in Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Barb Cannon and the caretakers at The Laurels of Kettering for steadfast devotion and love during Jim’s final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Dayton FOP Foundation.