Edward M. Strait, 76, of Port Charlotte, Florida, formerly of Chester, New Jersey, passed away Friday, December 17, 2010 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.

Ed was born May 20, 1934 in Roxbury, New Jersey, to the late Hudson and Laura Strait. A veteran of the Korean War, U.S. Air Force, Ed, returning home, began a long career in Law Enforcement. He joined the Chester Township Police Department as their first full-time police officer in 1957, and was named their first Chief of Police in 1958. He remained their Chief until his retirement in 1984. He relocated to Port Charlotte from Chester in 1998 and was appointed as a Charlotte County Special Deputy in 2001.

Ed was a member of the Chiefs of Police Association of New Jersey, the FBI National Academy Associates New Jersey Chapter, Fraternal Order of Police Robert E. Lister Memorial No. 66 Charlotte County Florida, member and Past President of Retired Law Enforcement Officers, Charlotte County, member Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 2121 Port Charlotte, and a Mason, member of Masonic Lodge No. 115 F&AM of Punta Gorda, Florida, and the Congdon Overlook Masonic Lodge No. 163 of Bernardsville, New Jersey.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Norma J. Strait; sons, Edward H. (Kerry) Strait, David G. (Mary) Strait, and Thomas C. Strait; 4 grandchildren, David P., Edward Jr., Amy and Tom Strait; and a sister, Betty Bateson.