New Jersey State Commission of Inquiry Executive Director dies in Hamilton Township crash

July 10, 2024

TRENTON-HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER) – At approximately 8 a.m., the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) became aware that our Executive Director, Chadd W. Lackey, was killed this morning in a fatal multi-vehicle crash in Hamilton, NJ.

“We are devastated by the tragic news of Chadd’s passing,” said SCI Chair Tiffany Williams Brewer. “On behalf of my colleagues and the entire SCI staff, we extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the Lackey family and his loved ones. Our SCI family, the NJ Bar and the law enforcement community suffered a great loss today, and we begin a time of healing and reflection on Chadd’s legacy.”

SCI Commissioner Robert Burzichelli, who has served on the commission for 10 years, praised Chadd’s leadership and influence on the regulator. “Chadd has worked his way up the corporate ladder to head the commission. Under his leadership, SCI has done a tremendous job of exposing wrongdoing and protecting New Jersey taxpayer dollars,” Burzichelli said. “This is a great loss for the citizens of the State of New Jersey and for all of us on the commission.”

Mr. Lackey was appointed Executive Director of SCI in January 2020. He was the agency’s first Black Executive Director. Mr. Lackey was a longtime member of the Commission staff and previously served as the Agency’s Deputy Director/General Counsel. As an investigative consultant, he led several of the Agency’s highest-profile organized crime investigations, including a groundbreaking investigation that identified prescription drug abuse as a precursor to a new heroin epidemic. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Lackey was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where he founded and directed the Community Prosecutions Unit. Mr. Lackey is a graduate of Northwood University and earned his law degree from Temple University School of Law.