Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe. File Photo: Jason Rearick
NEWTOWN –Chief of Police Michael Kehoe announced this week that he will retire in January 2016.
Kehoe, who has served almost 37 years as a member of the Newtown Police Department, submitted his retirement notice to the town’s Board of Police Commissioners on Tuesday.
“My time with the Town of Newtown has been professionally and personally rewarding,” he wrote. “I am excited about my impeding retirement but wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, the current board and past commissioners for all of the opportunities that I have experienced working for the Newtown Police Department.”
Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico praised the chief’s contribution to the town for almost four decades with the department. The chairman noted that Kehoe last year won a Distinguished Chief Award from the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.
“That’s a huge honor,” Mangiafico said. “He’s had an extremely distinguished career. And we wish him very well in his retirement.”
Kehoe, who’s in Hartford Wednesday, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mangiafico thanked him for sending his retirement notice months in advance.
“He was very good at providing a sufficient notice of his retirement and that gives us enough time to find an adequate replacement,” the commissioner said.
Kehoe became the town’s police chief in 2001.