Patrolman is awarded coveted badge

Date: 12/14/2011

Dec. 14, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE —Chicopee veteran Patrolman Paul Gay was give the “Number One” badge last week denoting his 29 years-of-service to the department, but also the respect he has earned from his fellow officers, according to Chief John Ferraro Jr.

“I can’t think of a finer officers I’ve seen in my career here,” Ferraro said during a brief ceremony in his office on Dec. 9.

Gay, a Chicopee native, said there were 17 members of his police class who joined the Chicopee department 29 years ago and there are still 10 of those officers on the force.

He added the badge “represents the entire class.”

Ferraro explained the badge only changes hands when the officer wearing it retires. In the last 35 years that has happened 10 times.

Gay said, “It’s a tradition, a good tradition for the department’s patrolmen.”