You may have noticed that we have been reporting and commenting about the Greenwich Police Department a lot recently. There is good reason. Not only are they celebrating 125 years of service in our community, but they have a very good story to tell.
This Saturday is the Policemen’s Ball. All monies raised from ticket sales and auction items will go to support the Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund. Since 1963 this fund has been granting financial assistance to the children of active Greenwich Police Officers, who qualify by ability and character for undergraduate college studies.
Who is eligible? The children of active Greenwich Police Officers. They must be enrolled as fulltime students and maintain an academic GPA of 2.75 or better. Every year, the Greenwich Police Department’s Scholarship Fund grants numerous scholarships to college boarders and half scholarships to college commuters.
We are fortunate to have a police department filled with familiar names, such as Keegan, Kelly, Hansen, and Lombardo. These families that have had several members in the police department. In fact, there are lieutenants, sergeants, and patrolmen in the department today whose mothers and fathers were officers. They received scholarship grants that enabled them to become police officers. As Chief Jim Heavey says, “so we’re getting a good return on our investment.”
That is as it should be. We want a police department to be a part of our community not apart from it. We are very fortunate to have Chief Heavey and his leadership team in charge during these challenging times. They have created a department that not only respects the community they serve but is respected by that community.
One hundred twenty-five years of service to our community is indeed a milestone to be celebrated and Greenwich likes to celebrate. Several weeks ago, we watched in awe the largest parade Greenwich has every had, in support of not just the police department, but all first responders and front-line personnel during COVID.
The parade was organized by Captain James Bonney. We have all seen Captain Bonney. He is a bagpiper with the Police Department Honor Guard. Not only did he create a memorable event, but he marched in it as well. When we saw him recently, we asked if all the bands, honor guards, horse guards, etc. would be back for the St. Patrick’s Parade – we shall see.
Earlier this fall, there was a car show at Town Hall, again in support of the Scholarship Fund. It was a wonderful day for our community to come out and marvel at our neighbor’s antique cars. Several people came up to us and expressed their hope that it too would become an annual event.
Chief Heavey has been using this anniversary to speak to community organizations, most recently at Christ Church. There he spoke before a crowded room and as Anne W. Semmes wrote in last week’s paper “one could see the thread running through of his pride of family, of place, and the value of teamwork in his department and it’s partnering with the Greenwich community.”
This Saturday marks the culmination of the Police Department’s anniversary celebrations. The Policeman’s Ball is certain to be a wonderful evening with a live auction and dancing, following what is always a delicious meal at Riverside Yacht Club. If you have not yet, purchased a ticket it is not too late. Just go to GPDScholarshipFund.org. There is also a silent auction with lots of fun items. Or you can donate directly to the Scholarship Fund.
While the Chief and his Department have been busy celebrating 125 years of service to our community, what they have actually done is shown us how we are all part of the same community. We congratulate all of the officers for all they do for us.
