Marion Police Chief John Garcia: Over and out
Dec 11, 2020
Chief Garcia (center) gives selectman Norm hills (right) an elbow bump.
Garcia was congratulated by police officers from across the South Coast. Photos by: Aidan Pollard.
Lieutenant Richard Nighelli chats with an officer from Rehoboth.
The Marion Fire Department arrives.
One community member’s police flags were too large to fit under the tent, so Garcia greeted him outside.
Fist bumps for the Marion Fire Department.
MARION — Police Chief John Garcia signed off for one last time on Dec. 11.
Community members and police from across the South Coast came to the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center to congratulate Garcia on his retirement after 36 years in law enforcement.
Though his retirement won’t be official until January, the drive-through retirement ceremony was held on Garcia’s last working day.
And police from Dartmouth, Fairhaven and Rehoboth, as well as community members in convertibles and even a Ford Model A stopped by to say goodbye to the chief.
The Selectmen were the first to congratulate Garcia on his retirement, followed by community members and police.
But Marion first responders gave Garcia the final congratulations.
Marion firefighters and police gathered after all the other cars had gone to wish Garcia well in retirement.
The ceremony ended with Garcia taking a radio from Lieutenant Richard Nighelli and signing off for the last time.
And even though Garcia was not looking for a large ceremony, he was met with applause after his final sign off.
“As much as I said I didn’t want anything, this was very nice,” Garcia said.
