Of the countless jobs Jim Collon worked on in his 22 years as a detective for the Seymour Police Department, one stands out: The case of the missing Beaning Babies.
It was the mid-1990s and Beanie Babies were all the rage. So when a Seymour home was burglarized when the family went on a ski trip, it wasn’t a surprise that the 12-year-old daughter’s large Beanie Baby collection was stolen.
But the case became more personal when that girl died during the family trip in a skiing accident, Collon said this week, recalling his lengthy career at the Seymour Police Department.
“We got to be very close to the family,” Collon said.
The stuffed animals were recovered through a tip received from an informant and returned to the parents.
Although the Beanie Babies may have had a perceived street value at the time, Collon said their real value was more sentimental for the grieving family.
The case was one of a handful Collon discussed while reflecting on his long career with the department.
Collon, 59, will retire this month after 38 years with the department.
Background
Collon, a Seymour native, started as a supernumerary — or part-time officer — in April of 1972.
“I figured the first time I’d see blood I’d throw up on my shoes and that’s the end of this job,” Collon joked.
He was hired as a full-time patrol officer in August 1973.
Collon was promoted to detective in December 1987. He liked that role within the department.
“I liked this aspect of it,” Collon said. “I kind of found a home here.”
The Retirement
At 38 years, Collon is the longest-serving member of the Seymour Police Department in its history, said Chief Michael Metlzer.
He wasn’t initially planning to retire.
“It was really phenomenal how quickly it happened,” Collon said.
Just three months ago, Collon and his wife, Jayne, were visiting friends in Arizona when they decided to relocate there.
Jayne Collon is looking to transfer from her job at Oxford Airport to one at an airport in Phoenix. Collon has applied for a position as an Arizona Air Marshal, who transport fugitives by air.
“We just look up it as another adventure,” Collon said.
While Collon said he’ll miss the camaraderie of the department, he looks forward to leaving police work.
“When you go on vacation, you’re a different person. You’re much more relaxed,” Collon said. “You have a different attitude. You’re not as cynical.”
Chief Metzler said Collon’s departure will be a “huge loss” for the department.
“He’s a gentleman all the time,” Metzler said. “He’s a credit to the town and to the department. Always has been, always will be. I wish I had 40 of him.”
The department will host a retirement party for Collon at 6:30 p.m. on June 19 at the Villa Bianca in Seymour. To purchase tickets for the party, call Nadia Staffieri at (203) 881‑7633 by June 15th.