Retired Police Utica, New York 1967-1988

 The memories of that era of my life are a constant source of joy for me.
I'm often reminded when I travel through the City of incidents that took place at any given location.
I also marvel some times at the changes that have occurred, empty lot's where buildings use to be, homes torn down and new buildings erected.
One regret I have is not having taken more pictures.

Who was to know we would wind up here today with an internet and a place to share them all. Oh well.
I remember also when I was still on the job and would meet "old-time officers" and how I would think to myself, "Wow, I'll never be that old. Funny how now I'm the old-time guy.
The technology that is available today, for instance, is amazing to me. Computers in the prowl cars and cell phones in the pockets of the Officers. Tasers, body cams, GPS trackers, and a multitude of other tools.
A little story, at one time when we were collective as the PBA trying to get cars with air conditioning we heard back from a Deputy Chief that he was against air conditioning because then we would be driving around with the windows up and would not be able to hear someone calling for help.
Hard to believe, but a true story never the less.
I can remember walking foot patrol from the station to Oneida Square and back with nothing to communicate with but a call box key to a box with a direct line to the fire department where you would ask to be switched to the police station. But that was 50 years ago now. Time gone but not forgotten. We had bulletproof vests the last couple of years and we did get handheld radios and new semi-auto handguns and mace, but that was pretty much it.
I wonder what kind of equipment the next generation of Police will have and how much it will change operations and procedures for the men and women working the streets to keep law and order.
I often pray for the safety of present-day officers and hope that they will always be given the ability and training/equipment to effectively do their jobs. That the criminals they encounter will not be able to resist or overcome efforts to take them into custody. May the best leaders and the best training/equipment always be available to keep our Police safe. Amen!

Post Job Retirement

I can't speak for all of the retiree's but, I can let my voice be heard regarding what it's like to be out here in the retirement pasture after spending 20 years on the job. I realize that many retiree's have given more years past the required 20 in the Police Service and I for one commend them for it and hope that you are now enjoying the years of your retirement following your service to our community as I am.

Looking back I can only say that the years I spent on the job were some of the most memorable years of my life.

By the time I had reached a decision to retire I was fully trained and fully saturated with blue blood actually running through my veins. I knew that the time had come for me to leave and I remember vividly some of the thought processes that occurred during that time.
In looking back now the one thing that did I not realize at that time was just how much of an impact the job had left on me.
I did not consider what being a Police Officer and spending that amount of time, energy and thought poured into the Department and into Police service had really meant. It had left an indelible mark , one that even now here, years later, still exists in one way or the other.
Once you put the badge on, it never comes off, whether people see it, or not. It fuses it self to the soul. It happens through adversity, fear and the gallons of adrenaline that has been pumped through you. No one who has ever worn it with pride, can ever get through the day or the night and not feel the unmistakable hold it has on you.

I still have a pen and pad close by as I travel out and about and have on several occasions written down plate numbers where something didn't seem just right for later reference. I have been known to go around the block after passing by a traffic stop, just in case something goes wrong.
I can tell you there have been times when I have rescued stranded motorists and recalled that old feeling once again. This past winter I came upon a van stuck in a deep snow bank while inching through a whiteout on Cider Street near the end of the Airport runway. Its an area known for whiteouts during snow storms. No telling what would have happened there that day had I not just happened by, and had the where with all to stop and see if the car was occupied; it was, and after notifying the Sheriff's office I was able to pull the van out which was stuck in a huge snow drift in the middle of a whiteout. I attribute that sort of action to the many times I was placed in dangerous situations throughout my years of Police Service.

To this day I am still known through out the places I travel in our community as a retired Utica Cop. I have been introduced that way on numerous occasions without any prompting what so ever on my part. I must be honest and confess I don't mind and in fact when that happens I feel proud.

I pay close attention to what I see in the newspaper and other media sources. My ears perk up at the mere mention of police, especially Utica Police. I'm amazed at hearing the names of Officers now serving and remember how at one time I personally knew 175 and now only recognize a handful.

My best advice to those contemplating retirement is this. Be sure you are ready to give up an identity you held for many years. If your healthy and still enjoy your working hours and feel able to do the job then by all means don't give it up.

A lot is given up when you retire. You lose contact with fellow officers you assumed you would have contact with for the rest of your life. You lose your civilian contacts through out the community and your informants when you no longer wear a badge. The so called friends and acquaintances you were so familiar with go away never to return until you bump into them while out shopping. So a lot changes when you retire. Be aware of that.

My deepest appreciation and sincerest thanks go out to all Police Officers everywhere, we need them.

I pray that all Police Officers and especially Utica Police Officers will be protected and kept safe as they carry out their duties. Remember you young un's that some day you will be out here just as we are now. I hope when you meet a retired Police Officer you remember that we are on your side, all the way and that you have a retired friend who understands what it's like being on the job.