Honoring the Brave Men and Women of the Greenwich Police Department

The 125th Anniversary Celebration of the GPD

Tracing its roots back to watchmen who roamed Greenwich Avenue at night, making sure doors were locked, and there were no fires, the Greenwich Police celebrated their 125th Anniversary as a Department on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the Riverside Yacht Club. The evening was a special acknowledgment of the past, present, and future of the brave men and women in Greenwich law enforcement. Over 150 guests, including the Town of Greenwich Board of Selectmen, State and Federal elected officials, Greenwich Police Command Staff, and members of the public, attended. Several multi-generational Police families were also present. The celebration included a 125th Anniversary video produced by Greenwich native Kendra Farn Finz and her husband Noah Finz of P. Garyn Productions. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), awarding scholarships to Police Officers' college students who qualify by ability and character. 

First Selectmen Fred Camillo addressed the attendees as a proud Police Commissioner congratulating the women and men who have or are currently serving on the Greenwich Police Department. "As a community, we are fortunate to have such talented and diverse police force whose 153 sworn officers and 33 special officers are dedicated to protect and serve." State Representatives Kimberly Fiorello, Harry Arora, and State Senator Ryan Fazio presented Chief of Police Jim Heavey with a State Proclamation recognizing the anniversary.

Serving as Host and Master of Ceremony, Chief Jim Heavey thanked the supporters, "I want to thank you for your support of our work. The Greenwich Police Department's history is filled with significant events and challenges, and this past year has been no exception. Our success in maintaining a safe and orderly town would never have been possible without our community standing behind us."

Heavey called the past year "an important remembrance of many years of faithful service, but it has helped us strengthen our foundation, which provides scholarships to family members of our officers." Heavey recognized the officers in attendance who had received the scholarships. "These scholarships are a powerful way for us to demonstrate our gratitude to the families of our members who selflessly share their husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters with us so they can keep our Town safe. A testament to this effort is that several current members of the GPD were beneficiaries of the Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund while their parents were active members of the Department." 

A highlight of the evening was a live auction that featured vigorous bidding for a ride on the GPD Police Boat with the Marine Division, as well as an opportunity to be Chief of Police for the day. Deputy Chief Robert Berry toasted Chief Jim Heavey and recognized his ten years of service as Chief. Sponsors of the 125th Anniversary Policeman's Ball included Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media and Greenwich Sentinel as Co-Media Sponsors, McArdle's Floral and Garden Design, and SEABASS Events and Entertainment. B+E Events and Communications produced all of the GPD 125th Anniversary Events.

For more information about the GPD click here

Contributed Photos by Cara Gilbride, Callalily Studios