Department will host his ‘walkout’ at 3 p.m. Friday
“In my 18 years as town supervisor I’ve worked with a number of police chiefs, but I have to say how much I have really appreciated your dedication and the work you have done. I really will miss you.”
Those were the words of Supervisor Bob Livsey just before retiring Town of Highlands Police Chief Frank Basile received a standing ovation after his retirement was approved by the Town Board on Monday evening. Basile, who ends a 30+ year police career with the move, in turn thanked Livsey and the Town Board “for letting me realize my career dream in running a police department”.
Basile was first hired by the town as deputy police chief in January 2021.
Basile thanked the community for his years here — “it has really been an honor and privilege working for the Town of Highlands,” he said — and thanked his THPD officers for the good work they do. He told the board he felt very comfortable leaving the THPD in the hands of his deputy chief, Joe Burns.
With Basile at the meeting was his wife, MaryAnn. The chief thanked her, too, for standing behind him through his long police career.
The board wished Basile well in his retirement.
“It is a challenge to see you go,” Councilman Tyrone King said, recounting a story of being in the state of Florida last summer when he got a phone call from Basile.
“He simply said ‘we’re under water’,” King said, of course referring to the July 9 floods. “Those words are seared in my brain forever. I wish you the best, and Godspeed.”
Burns, who was also at Monday’s meeting, invited the board and community to a ‘walkout’ — a police tradition as officers retire; the department’s other officers and police from other departments line the path as the retiring officer officially leaves the station for the final time — at THPD headquarters (37 Main St., Highland Falls) at 3 p.m. Friday.
