Former Rochester Police Chief Walter V. Denham "was a good cop," according to current Chief Paul Magee.

After Denham passed away on December 4 following a battle with melanoma cancer, Magee said he was saddened to hear of his predecessor’s loss.

Magee assumed his role in the department after Denham’s retirement in 2001, thus completing a 33-year career with the force.

“He retired only a few years ago so to hear that he passed on after so little time is quite a shame,” Magee said.

“The thing that stands out about Walter is that he was dedicated to the community,” Magee said. “He served the town for 33 years, half of which he was Police Chief for. He was just the type of person who always made time available to residents and tried to help people anyway he could.”

Before his retirement, Denham was Police Chief for 16 years and continued to work in the community. In 2006 Denham moved to Cape Coral, Florida with his wife Pam. There, he worked as Maintenance Supervisor for Burnt Store Marina.

Chairman of the Marion Board of Selectmen, John Henry, took a moment during the Dec. 6 board meeting to remember “Walt.”

"Our roots go back a long time together," Henry said. "I knew him personally. He was a great guy and I was sorry to hear of his passing. I'd like to extend my condolences to the town of Rochester for their loss."

During the Dec. 6 Board of Selectmen meeting, Marion Police Department Chief Lincoln Miller, also spoke fondly of Denham.

"It's very sad to hear of his passing," Miller said. "Something a lot of people don't know is that he actually worked part-time for the Marion Police Department years ago. He will be missed."

Since Denham's passing, a memorial service has been held in Florida. Magee said that the family, which includes Denham’s daughter Amy and son Christopher, will be holding an additional service in Massachusetts. The service, he said, will be in the spring on a date to be determined.