A 32-year veteran of the Middletown police force is calling it quits. YNN's Christian Farrell tells where he'll be patrolling next.
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MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- Cops shut down the street. Fire trucks are also on the scene.
But Friday afternoon there's no fire on James Street in Middletown. What there really is, is a retirement ceremony taking place on the steps of police headquarters.
Ramon Bethencourt, Middletown Police Chief said, “We started this tradition in 2010 with officer Rob Maynard where we wanted officers to feel the appreciation that the city of Middletown and also the Middletown police department has for their service to the city."
Police Officer Michael Canonico is calling it a career after 32 years on the Middletown Police Force.
Michael Canonico, Retiring Middletown Police Officer said, “It was just time. You just know. Everyone else that you started with has left, and moved on. And it's time to join them, and start the next adventure in life."
Family, friends, fellow officers, even police k9s gather to say goodbye to the 59 year old crime fighter.
Tootie Canonico, Michael’s wife said, “He did go into get his papers one other time a couple of years ago, but he wasn't ready. So, this time when we went, he decided he was ready to go."
Now that he's handed in his badge, officer Canonico said it's time to embark on a different patrol, taking care of his five grandchildren. "Papa" as his grandkids call him is now officially off-duty.
Canonico said, “I always thought of being a police officer. My father worked as a court officer in New York City. This is the only place I've ever worked in police work. It's been good."