OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Deputy Police Chief Keith Babin is retiring after 32 years of service to the community.

Babin, who will be retiring this month, was acknowledged at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting .

Babin was hired as a reserve officer in June of 1983, then as a standard patrol officer in 1986.

Town Manager Larry Mead described Babin as a role model for young people. Babin’s work with youth includes serving as a facilitator to help teens stop smoking; working with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., program and Project Graduation, said Mead. Babin has also worked with troubled youth, providing guidance and helping them avoid incarceration.

Babin was promoted to sergeant in 1991, and became state certified as a firefighter in 1997. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2001 and then promoted to Deputy Chief in 2005. He has also served as interim chief.

Babin has received many letters of thanks and praise over the years from residents and business owners noting how “caring and understanding” he was, said Mead.

“We wish for you and your wife Stephanie new adventures and opportunities,” said Mead.

Mead said Babin will be missed, and joked about Babin’s signature way of getting people’s attention with a loud whistle, saying in jest that the assistant town manager’s blood pressure will be lowered.

Babin spoke briefly to thank town officials, and to give special thanks to Chief Dana Kelley.

“He’s the one who made me who I am in my law enforcement career today,” he said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.