Ortolano retires among friends

OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford
Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano, in the white shirt, stands with his officers as he closes his last day on the job Friday.

Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano retired Friday with a friendly gathering held in his honor at City Hall.

The event began in unique and poignant fashion, with Ortolano’s last radio call piped into the packed second-floor courtroom.

“We have created a family culture that most agencies strive to have,” he said in part.

Ortolano told his officers, who were gathered in the front row of the audience, he would “stand in front of a bus to protect each and every one of you.” He added he had a goal to “leave this department in a better way, and I believe we have done this.”

His voice starting to break, Ortolano declared his officers “the best damn group of people any chief could dream of having.”

He concluded, “ID 6 and Car 1 to Dunkirk, I am 1098.”

Ortolano then appeared in the courtroom to take a series of congratulations on his retirement from various officials. He started as a police officer in 1985 and has headed up Dunkirk’s police since 2005.

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said Ortolano showed “commitment, integrity and strong sense of duty.” She thanked Ortolano on behalf of the city and expressed its “heartfelt gratitude for his dedication and his service.”

Wdowiasz also proclaimed Friday as Chief Ortolano Day in the city of Dunkirk.

Assemblyman-elect Andrew Molitior and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel showed up to say nice things about Ortolano. Representatives of Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Nick Langworthy and State Sen. George Borrello also offered support.