My Backyard

Police Officers from the Attleboro Police Department assembled at City Hall Tuesday night to pay tribute and to recognize three valued members of the police department that had recently retired:

• Patrolman Bernard G. Forrestal whose retirement was effective March 13, 2009 after being credited with serving 32 years and 1 month of service.
• Sergeant Edward A. Holt whose retirement was effective November 5, 2008 after serving the City for 30 years.
• Captain David T. Proia whose retirement was effective March 1, 2009 after serving the City for 31 years and 1 month.

Chief Pierce commented to the family and friends in attendance that these three gentlemen represented over 90 years of combined Law Enforcement experience. All of these men have been dedicated and hardworking police officers. They have all received numerous commendations and awards and they have worked toward and obtained many accomplishments during their careers.

Patrolman Bernard Forrestal:

After graduating from Saint Rafael’s Academy High School in 1975 Officer Forrestal joined the United States Army where he served as a Medical Specialist. Following his military duty Officer Forrestal served as a corrections officer at MCI Walpole for a while and then became a Civilian Dispatcher for the Attleboro Police Department.  He was appointed as a Patrolman to the Attleboro Police Department in March 1982. While working in the Patrol Division he continued serving with the U.S. Army Reserves and continued to further his education and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice in 1991 from Roger Williams College. Officer Forrestal is also a Certified Emergency Medical Technician and he is planning on continuing to work in the medical profession.

Like many officers, Officer Forrestal has worked all three shifts during his distinguished career. In the past Patrolman Forrestal had received recognition for exceptional work during his police career and during his military duty.

Sergeant Edward A. Holt:

After graduating from Attleboro High School in 1971 Sergeant Holt attended the United States Coast Guard Academy and then went on to Northeastern University. Prior to becoming a police officer he worked for the (FAA) Federal Aviation Administration. Holt was appointed as a Patrolman to the Attleboro Police Department on November 4, 1978. He was promoted to Sergeant on April 28, 1985. Sergeant Holt graduated from the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management Command Training Program held at Babson College in 1988.

While working in the patrol division, Sergeant Holt was often selected to train the new patrolmen. Many of the officers and officers of rank currently employed today were trained by Sergeant Holt when they first came on the job.

As a Sergeant, in addition to his duties as a Patrol Supervisor, Holt was also the department’s Certified Breathalyzer Instructor and the department’s Certified Firearms Instructor for many years.

During his distinguished career Sergeant Holt has worked all three shifts at different times and has received many commendations for exceptional work.

Captain David T. Proia

After graduating from Attleboro High School in 1972 Captain Proia attended Bristol Community College and then went on Northeastern University where he received a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. He was appointed as a Patrolman to the Attleboro Police Department on January 29, 1978. Proia was promoted to Sergeant on September 6, 1987, Lieutenant on December 17, 1995 and Captain on May 17, 2005. He also graduated from the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management Command Training Program held at Babson College in 1988.

While working in the patrol division Captain Proia was often selected to train the new patrolmen. And Like Sergeant Holt, many of the officers and officers of rank currently employed today were trained by Captain Proia when they first came on the job.

In addition to his many supervisory and other duties Captain Proia was instrumental in establishing the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Civilian Advocate Program within the police department and he served on the Board of Directors for New Hope, Inc. Captain Proia was also appointed by former Mayor Robbins and Mayor Dumas to serve as their designee to the MBTA advisory board. In addition to writing numerous grant applications for the department Captain Proia was successful in writing a grant to establish the City’s first School Resource Officer Program in 2002.

During his distinguished career Captain Proia had also worked all three shifts during his career and has received many commendations for exceptional work.

Chief Pierce also commented that he had worked together with Holt and Proia as “beat partners” when they were all patrolmen together.

Distinguished Service Award

Pierce stated that although their career paths differed somewhat, all of these men, Patrolman Bernard Forrestal, Sergeant Edward Holt and Captain David Proia have served the Attleboro Police Department and the City of Attleboro with dedication, integrity, loyalty and distinction. They have always had the best interest of the Police Department and the City of Attleboro at heart. Pierce said they have been a credit to their chosen profession and the police department. He said that it had truly been an honor and a pleasure to have worked with all of them and he along with all the members of the Attleboro Police Department wish them all a well deserved, long, prosperous and happy retirement.

In addition to “official citations” presented by State Senators Timilty and Brown as well as State Representatives Poirier and Bowles, the City Council and Mayor Dumas presented the retirees with certificates of appreciation. Chief Pierce presented Patrolman Bernard Forrestal, Sergeant Edward Holt and Captain David Proia the Attleboro Police Department’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition and appreciation for their many years of dedicated service to Law Enforcement and to the City of Attleboro.

 Powered by Max Banner Ads