But for Ansonia Police Officer Nathan Anderson, who retired Wednesday after 26 years on the job, the quick thinking and bravery displayed by police at a fire last week in the James J. O’Donnell apartments showed he’s leaving the department in good hands.
Anderson was the officer in charge of the department’s 7 a.m.-3 p.m. shift when the fire call came in about noon last Thursday.
Police, firefighters and paramedics raced to the scene at 63 Woodlawn Ave.
To Anderson’s relief, the fire was small — one person sustained minor injuries.
But the response from his fellow cops was huge.
“I was totally amazed at how the officers responded. Without even saying or giving too much direction, each officer knew exactly what to do,” Anderson said.
“We cleared each floor, each apartment, escorted individuals out that needed assistance,” Anderson said. “It’s a veteran shift. I saw the culmination of all these years of training just play out in front of me. I was really just proud of all of my officers.”
On his last day Wednesday, police brass made a concerted effort to ensure Anderson stayed away from any similar mayhem.
“We had him try not to get involved in anything today — some mundane tasks just to keep him out of getting involved in anything,” Police Chief Kevin Hale joked before he and about 25 others wished Anderson well in retirement and congratulated him on a job well done.
Anderson spent the day saying goodbyes to the multitude of people he’s met over nearly three decades as a police officer — business owners, city residents.
Most of them told him he will be missed, which Anderson said he appreciated — a lot.
“I don’t think I have any more tears left,” he said.
Hale, Anderson, and Lt. Wayne Williams went through the police academy together, and were all sworn in Feb. 14, 1990.
The chief said Anderson could be tough when he had to be, but had a way with people that tended to put them at ease.
“To the young guys here, the newer officers, I hope you’ve had a chance to work with Nate and appreciate his abilities — the way he spoke to people, the way he spoke with people,” Hale said. “He was able to calm things down, he was firm but gentle when he had to be. Law enforcement, I think the more we do of that the less problems we’ll have going forward.”
Click the play button on the video above to see Hale and Anderson speak at the Ansonia Police Department.
In terms of post-retirement plans, Anderson said what he’s now looking forward to the most is moving his family west — to Utah, where he has a son who works at an Air Force base.
“Number one is to spend quality time with my son and his wife and my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson,” Anderson said.
During his career Anderson received commendations from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and BHcare’s Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, for his work in domestic violence cases through a “Lethality Assessment” program started with BHcare in 2011 that now serves as a model for other departments.
He is also a two-time winner of the Rotary Club of Ansonia’s community service award.
That’s fitting, because in addition to the police work, Anderson said the things he’ll miss most about Ansonia are the police department’s community service initiatives — like the annual Special Olympics Torch Run, and the annual “Stuff a Jeep” and toy drive events every Christmas.
Mayor David Cassetti was also on hand Thursday to offer his appreciation.
“On behalf of a grateful city, thank you for your service to the city of Ansonia,” he said while shaking Anderson’s hand.
Cassetti, a former member of the city’s police commission, said his fondest memories of Anderson go back several years, to when he would hire Anderson and Officer Joseph Jackson for private duty jobs directing traffic as his company did road work.
“I was in the hole and they were out directing traffic,” the mayor recalled.
“What a great officer,” Cassetti told Hale before Thursday’s ceremony. “Kev, you had a gem right there. That guy was awesome. Boy, that’s going to be a loss.”
Pursuant to that, Hale noted that Ansonia police are looking to hire some new officers — those already certified as well as new recruits.
Anderson thanked those gathered Thursday for wishing him well.
“You’re welcome back any time,” Officer Kevin Coonan told him.
Hale then gave Anderson his last direct order.
“Now cut the cake,” the chief said.
