Chief Danny Rary

Danny P. Rary passed away peacefully on August 1st, 2023 surrounded by loved ones following a long and brave battle with cancer. Danny was born in Gadsden, Alabama on June 13, 1955 to Virginia Turner Rary and the late Thomas Richard Rary, Sr.

He leaves behind the love of his life, devoted wife Carron, his son Shane Rary (Rhonda) and daughter Hannah Stiver (Alec) along with seven grandchildren- Marisa (Blake), Gavin, Jeremiah, Lola, and Ella Jarrad and Beau and Blakely Stiver. As well as 2 great-grandchildren, Colton and Shephard. His mother Virginia Turner Rary, his brother Rick (Chryl), mother-in-law Peggy Anne Wilson, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his dad Thomas Richard Rary Sr., father-in-law Frank Roy Wilson, grandparents Newman and Earsel Turner, and Lonnie Robert and Elizabeth Rary.

Before becoming a law enforcement officer, Danny P. Rary served in the United States Army from 1973-1978. In 1978, he began his career with the Hueytown Police Department. He transferred to the Pleasant Grove Police Department in 1980 before joining with the Vestavia Hills Police Department on September 1, 1981. Throughout his career, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1985, Lieutenant in 1996, and Deputy Chief in 2005. He was promoted to the rank of Chief of Police on January 1, 2011, making him the seventh chief in the history of the City of Vestavia Hills. Chief Rary was a founding member of the Vestavia Hills SWAT team. He served as a firearms instructor and range master. He commanded every division within the police department during his career and served as a detective for many years and investigated several high-profile cases.

During Chief Rary’s tenure, the Vestavia Hills Police Department grew from 69 to 109 sworn officers. Chief Rary worked with the city and the Board of Education to enhance school safety by placing School Resource Officers on every campus. Chief Rary enhanced departmental training and established the Professional Standards Division within the department.

Chief Rary earned the distinction of Certified Law Enforcement Executive in 2015 from the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police, where we served as the District 7 Representative mentoring newly promoted chiefs throughout the State of Alabama. Throughout his career, Chief Rary created a narcotics unit, Honor Guard, and implemented a peer support program, as well as a chaplain corp. Chief Rary developed a working relationship with numerous federal agencies and placed Vestavia Hills Police Officers on federal task forces.

In addition to focusing his career on helping other people, protecting his community, and enriching his officers with professional development, equipment and training, Danny was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and cherished his family. He coached his children’s football, baseball, and softball teams where he formed meaningful relationships with many youth throughout the years. Danny was a passionate grandfather who enjoyed working on guns with his grandsons, making chili for his granddaughter, and teaching his grandson how to swim. His youngest granddaughter had him wrapped around her little finger. Danny was also the best dog dad to his yellow labs “puppies”, Sugar and Shiloh.

The family would like to thank the Vestavia Hills Police Department, especially Jason Hardin and Shane Ware for their unwavering love and support, The Vestavia Hills Police Foundation, Dr. Swaid Swaid, Alabama Hematology and Oncology at Brookwood, Grandview Medical Center, Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, Englewood Elementary School, the Vestavia Hills Board of Education, and all our family and friends who have supported and loved us during this difficult time.

A visitation for Chief Rary will be held Tuesday, August 8 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Shades Mountain Baptist Church followed immediately by a memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Chief Rary may be made to the Vestavia Hills Police Foundation, which was his vision to create an organization devoted to exclusively supporting his officers and their families.

The media will have a designated area outside, but will not be allowed in the church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Rary family.