Ridgefield Police Department, together with Police Commissioners, First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Town Clerk, Barbara Serfilippi, Rabbi Jon Haddon, together with family and friends welcomed a lifelong Ridgefield resident to the Department today with an official swearing-in ceremony including pinning of the badge and insignia.
“You are part of this community, you understand this community, You are the fiber of this community and to have you part of this Department is one of the best things we could ask for,” said First Selectman, Rudy Marconi.
Rest assured, Ridgefield is in very good hands with Officer Michael McKnight. Ridgefield Police Commissioner, George Kane said, “No stone has been left unturned and you have risen to the top. Congratulations because it’s not an easy thing to do.”
A Ridgefield High School grad who received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield College, McKnight comes from a family with deep roots of service to our community. His father, Bill, was a longtime Town employee, working in the Highway Department. His mom, Beth, is Program Assistant for Ridgefield Parks and Recreation.
“You are a special family to our town with years of service to our community - you are part of what has made our town the great place it is today. I’m thankful to the McKnight family and Michael,” said Marconi.
Rabbi Jon Haddon told the thought-provoking story about our human response to life’s trials and tribulations titled Are You a Carrot, Egg, or Coffee Bean? “Bear with me, it will relate the swearing in of Officer Michael McKnight,” he said.
The story goes like this:
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.
She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee into a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see?”
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity… boiling water – but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting but after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. After being through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
Which are you? she asked the daughter. When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
Haddon said, “When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? As police officers, believe me, you will have your share of trials.”
Prior to Serfilippi asking McKnight to raise his right hand, Commissioner Kane said, “You are embarking on a career for wonderful men and women around you that will support, instruct you and help you and become your new family. We welcome you to Ridgefield Police Department.