Deputy Chief Tim DeLuca has accepted a position as the new Police Chief in Houlton, beginning Jan. 3, and police department Administrative Assistant Suzanne Makoge is retiring.
Both employees were acknowledged at Tuesday night’s town council meeting.
DeLuca became a reserve officer in 1985, and joined the department full-time in 1988 as a patrol officer.
Town Manager described DeLuca’s departure as a loss for Old Orchard Beach and a “major gain” for Houlton.
“Tim is just one of those special people who can connect with folks of all different stripes,” said Mead. “He’s just gifted in that regard.”
Mead continued to describe DeLuca as someone who was there when you needed him and always had a smile on his face and always delivered above and beyond the call of duty.
Mead said DeLuca was committed to the community and known for his service, including stopping to help an elderly shovel her sidewalk, meeting with a young person who has made poor decisions to help guide them to achieve their potential, or to serve as a mentor to young officers starting their career in the summer reserve force.
“This is bittersweet for me,” said DeLuca. He said the new job was an opportunity to advance his career and raise the standards of the Houlton police department to the level of the Old Orchard Beach police department.
“I was 19 years old when I was hired, so I learned a lot of life lessons here,” said DeLuca. He said the community has been very supportive of the police department, and he was lucky to have Chief Dana Kelley as a mentor.
Makoge is retiring after 34 years of service to the town. Mead described Makoge as someone who knew all the “ins and outs” of the police department and thanked her for her dedication.
The community is invited to bid farewell to DeLuca and Makoge from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at a goodbye party at the police station.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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