Police Get a New Home

At the turn of the 19^th century there were stories of retired “fire horses” replace by pumper trucks, which horses, long after retiring, would be on the ready for a trip to a fire upon hearing the alarm bell. Like an old fire horse, the flag pole at old police headquarters clung to life yesterday at the dedication of the new police building on Bruce Place.

The GPD Honor Guard came up with the idea for the ribbon-cutting dedicating the new police headquarters of a ritual where the American flag in front of the 1938 vintage police building would be lowered and retired, and a new flag hoisted in front of the new building. The honor guard* practiced the ceremony several times. But when it came time for the actual retirement, the flag in front of the old building refused to budge. In typical Greenwich Police “adapt to whatever circumstances are thrown at us” fashion, the quick-thinking honor guard members, temporarily commandeered the flag from the adjacent fire headquarters, and continued with the ceremony – few in the large audience aware of the hiccup.

The touching flag retirement ceremony was one of several elements of the ribbon-cutting event which caused the eyes of some in the crowd to well with tears. Another high point was our national anthem sung in Grammy Award caliber fashion by Greenwich Police Officer Kristen Lindstrom. The crowd included five former Greenwich police chiefs (some of whom came from out of state to be there), current and former selectmen, B.E.T. and RTM members, and other Greenwich residents. The Community and Police Partnership (CAPP) members, who had been leading tours of the new building for the past two weeks, were also on hand along with local media and numerous police officers, most in full dress uniform.

[For photos of the event click here.]

They heard two of three of Greenwich’s Police Chaplains pray for those who worked on the building and those who will work there. Avid Yankee’s fan, chaplain Rev. Dr. Thomas Nins, of the First Baptist Church added an addendum to his Invocation, thanking God for the Yankees beating the Red Sox the night before. Retired Greenwich Police Captain, Rev. Daniel F. Hickman, Sr. gave the benediction and added a prayer of Thanksgiving for the officers who served in the past and those who are currently serving our Greenwich.

The emcee of the event was Chief David Ridberg, who concluded the event with somewhat sentimental remarks welcoming the assembled corp of police officers to their “new home” — a home which the Chief said matched the professionalism of the men and women of GPD. Between the Invocation and the chief’s closing remarks, the audience heard words of thanks for a job well-done from Alan Monelli, the Department of Public Works Superintendent of Building, Construction & Maintenance (who brought the building in on budget and before schedule) and Greenwich First Selectman Peter J. Tesei in his capacity at Police Commissioner lauding those who reified what once was a dream of a new police building.

The ribbon was cut using an exaggerated size scissor, by Retired Police Officer Michael Cofone, the oldest retired GPD officer, at age 88. He was supposed to be joined by Retired Police Officer Eugene J. Moye, the longest time retired GPD officer (retired 38 years). Health issues kept Retired Officer Moye away. Were he able to attend, he would have, no doubt marveled at the strides the GPD has taken in the past 38 years and especially at the state-of-the-art police headquarters.

Chief Ridberg was spot-on – FINALLY the officers of GPD have a suitable home.

[For details on the new police headquarters, click here.]

* According to the official ribbon-cutting program, the Greenwich Police Honor Guard members are Lt. Kraig W. Gray, Sgt. James M. Bonney, P/O John E. D’Inverno, P/O Thomas E. Etense, Marine Technician Shawn M. Fox, Special P/O Joseph J. Havranek, Detective Stg. Timothy M. Hilderbrand, Lt. F. Gary Honulik, P/O Thomas J. Huestis, P/O Carl C. Johnson, P/O Michael A. Mastronardi, P/O Sean P. O’Donnell, P/O Michael J. Rooney, Community Impact Officer Richard B. Stook, and Lt. John B. Wachowski.