BY: Keith S. Shikowitz, Investigative Reporter
Chief Peter Murphy is the third Chief in Rockland County to have retired in recent weeks. He joins Ramapo Chief Martin Reilly and Stony Point Chief Ed Finn in retirement.
There was an assemblage of dozens of officers from many town, county and state police agencies present to bid farewell to Murphy.
A ceremony was held at the Haverstraw Police Department on June 24, 2024, to officially announce this retirement. With the Police HONOR Guard standing behind him, it began with an announcement of the retirement over the police radio giving a brief history of Murphy’s career which began on February 29, 1988. He had been Chief for seven years and his retirement comes almost seven years to the day that he started
Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips took the podium and announced other elected officials in attendance, Deputy Town Supervisor Isidro (Papo) Cancel, Councilman Ralph Kirschkel, former Councilman John Gould and County Legislator Paul Cleary. I also want to thank for coming out today, our Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh, Town Clerk Raquel Ventura, Superintendent of highways John Gordon, Trustee of village of west Haverstraw Peter Eckert, North Rockland Athletic Director Coach Joe Casarella, and all other dignitaries. I especially want to thank all of the different chiefs of all the departments within Rockland County. Congressman Mike Lawler and Former State Senator Elijah Reichlin – Melnick also attended the event.
“This is a very special yet solemn day, filled with mixed emotions. We come to pay our respects to a gentleman who has really had a lifetime of career in law enforcement. But most importantly, a person who has been a true public servant who’s put his life on the line for our families, our children, our loved ones. He was given an awesome responsibility when he became chief and he’s continued to serve the people with distinction and honor. It is our pleasure today to say to the people of Haverstraw that you set an example for others to follow. Your work, service and dedication has been outstanding. Our deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Haverstraw and Rockland County and the state of New York.”
He finished with a prayer (the prayer to the Archangel Saint Michael, the guardian angel of all law enforcement) that he said everyone in law enforcement should say from the time they wake up to the setting of the sun. He added, “Pete, you have defended us against the evil ones. Your service will last in our history forever. Thank you and once a police officer, always a police officer. Congratulations.
Murphy took to the podium and began by thanking the Supervisor and members of the Town Board for the great opportunity he had to lead the Haverstraw Police Department and for all the tremendous support they had given him and the police department over all of the years.
“Thank you for your confidence and I am truly humbled by this appointment. I also want to thank my parents for all of their guidance throughout my life and for installing in me the guides of hard work and most of all integrity.”
He thanked his wife and daughter for what he said was their unwavering support. “As all police officers know, we cannot do this job without the support of our families.”
He described the Haverstraw Police Department as an “Excellent police department comprised of dedicated professionals of hard-working men and women. For all of us to do this job every day, we cannot do it alone, we need great people to persevere in the toughest of times.”
He thanked the fellow administrators in the department for their hard work and he recognized the civilian staff. “To each and every member of this department, both present and past, for all of the members of Haverstraw village, and Haverstraw town police department, your dedication to law enforcement and caring about the people of Haverstraw showed every day.”
He added his thanks to the current and former members of the Police Chief’s Association for their leadership, advice and counsel and that they were always available to provide any assistance. “I am honored to have worked with a great group of dedicated professional and hard – working law enforcement officers that truly care about the people of Rockland County.”
Continuing he said, “Being a police officer is one of the greatest and most honorable professions in the world. I hope that our young police officers realize that and they also appreciate the many opportunities that lay ahead for them. We know that we can’t do it alone that wee need the community’s assistance. The department has always felt and is very appreciative of all of the help we’ve received from the town board, the residents, the businesses, and the schools.”
He closed stating, “It has been an absolute pleasure working with every one of you. Thank you for your friendship, guidance and assistance you have given me. It is truly an honor to serve the people of Haverstraw. I wish you all the best and please stay safe.”
For many years and especially these days with the economy the way it is in this state, not to mention the lousy weather at times, when people in New York retire they move to sunnier or and warmer climates where they feel they can get a better bang for their buck. Murphy says he is staying in the area here in Haverstraw. He had been in law enforcement for thirty-six years total and he said, “That you get to a certain point in life that you just want to leave time. I always tell my guys to leave time to enjoy life. So I am going to leave time to enjoy life.”