NHSP Lieutenant James J. Geraghty of the New Hampshire State Police passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 27 after fighting an unyielding battle against cancer.

Lt. Geraghty leaves behind his beloved wife Valerie of 30 years, a son Jimmy (25) of Bedford, daughters Colleen (24), Katie (22), and Erin (20), his mother Grace (Cunningham) Geraghty of Bedford, six brothers (Michael of Nashua, NH; Johnnie (deceased); Jeff of Concord, MA and his wife Jean (Davis); Tom of Weddington, NC and his wife Sheri (Strong); Kevin of Bridgewater, MA and his wife Karen (Boucher); and Brian of Nashua, NH and his wife Katie (Archiprete), and a sister, Kathy Henry of Groton, MA, and her husband Jay, brothers-in-law Donald Collette and his wife Chris (Simard), and Paul Collette Jr, (deceased) and many nieces and nephews and godchildren who he loved very much.

Geraghty, the son of the late Michael E. Geraghty and Grace Geraghty, was born in Boston, MA and raised in Tewksbury, MA. He graduated from St. John's Prep in Danvers, MA and also attended the University of Lowell. He married Valerie in Derry, NH in August 1986.

Geraghty served his country in the United States Army from 1984 to 1989. He served at Ft. Benning, GA; Ft. Polk, LA; and Ft. Richardson, AK and participated in the REFORGER exercise in Germany. After completing his military service, Geraghty served as a police offer in Hudson, NH before being accepted as a Trooper into the New Hampshire State Police. In 2008, Geraghty was promoted to Detective Sergeant and headed the State Police's Major Crime Unit. He retired as a Lieutenant in 2015.

Although Geraghty had an exceptional law enforcement career, he considered his family his greatest adventure. He deeply loved Valerie and was a devoted father to his children. He was very humble about his own accomplishments but often bragged about his children's latest achievements. His mantra to the end was "Family First". His children knew that he was always there for them, no matter the hour or where he was located.

Geraghty was happiest when he was able to spend time with his family. He loved their annual vacations in Wells, ME. He enjoyed many simple things in life like cruising in the family's Camaro convertible, obsessive housecleaning, the occasional Manhattan, the pleasures of an honorably obtained package of Chuckles, and a neatly made bed.