North Adams Recognizes Chief's Service 28 Years Later
 Retired Police Chief Kenneth P. Gamache holds the symbols of his career with the city, presented to him by Mayor Richard Alcombright. |
But on Tuesday night, the mayor and City Council honored North Adams' last police chief with a letter of commendation and framed plaque with the insignia he'd worn during his 30 years with the force. Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco joined the mayor in presenting the plaque.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said he was happy to rectify the oversight after being contacted by Gamache's family.
"He wasn't properly honored and then he retired to Illinois," said Alcombright at a reception held in City Hall after the City Council meeting. "He was our last police chief. We wanted to show we were appreciative of his service."
Gamache said he appreciated the delayed gesture. "It was great," he said. "The mayor put a lot of effort into this, he's a really pleasant person."
The city changed the organization of its public safety structure in the early 1980s by combining the then separate police and fire departments into the Department of Public Safety under a commissioner, the late Albert Denelli.
Gamache and his wife, Gloria, moved to Illinois for a while but returned to the Berkshires more than 20 years ago to be near family. They have two daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. "Family, that's really what's most important," said Gamache.
By the time Gamache retired in 1982, he'd served in every rank, beginning as a reserve officer in 1952. A few years later he became full-time patrolman, then sergeant, captain and finally chief in 1972. In total, he's worked in policing for 34 years.
During his tenure, he helped design a new shoulder patch for the city's centennial (that apparently ran into some opposition from his fellow officers). He also fought to have the Quinn bill, a 1970 state measure that matches local contributions toward incentives for police education, adopted by the city.
 City officials joined Gamache and his family for a reception after the City Council meeting. |
Gamache, who attended college and the FBI Academy, said education was imperative for police officers.
"You have to know how to handle people," he said. "Police officers now have a liberal arts education. They understand how they have to act."
Gamache set down his career, the shoulder patches and hat badges he'd worn over three decades. "It was a good 34 years," he said, and turned to sit with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"This was like closure," said Gloria Gamache. "It was nice."
