PORT ANGELES — When Port Angeles Police Chief Terry Gallagher finishes his shift today, he will shut the door on his office and walk out of Port Angeles City Hall for the final time.
“I just carried the last box [of personal items] out of the office. Everything left on the walls belongs to the city,” Gallagher said Thursday.
However, Gallagher won’t be going home early today, he said.
There will be a police department barbecue at noon, then he will spend the afternoon closeted with attorneys taking a deposition before he can leave the job behind.
Deputy Chief Brian Smith will serve as interim police chief after Gallagher’s departure.
Gallagher, 62, has been the Port Angeles police chief since 2008.
He entered law enforcement as a police reservist in the 1970s, served as a military police officer and then returned to Port Angeles, where he held positions as patrol sergeant, detective sergeant and deputy police chief before he was promoted to chief.
Retirement ceremony
Gallagher’s retirement was marked by a retirement ceremony at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where he was roasted by Fire Chief Ken Dubuc, then awarded the Sheriff’s Star by Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict.
Dubuc kept the mood light and presented Gallagher with a series of prank gifts: a miniature fire extinguisher, “because we know police officers really want to be firefighters”; a box of doughnuts; a framed picture of Dubuc; and a $2 lottery ticket, which Dubuc said “the whole fire department” chipped in to purchase.
Benedict pinned the star on a green ribbon on Gallagher’s uniform and noted that Gallagher started his career in Clallam County as a deputy before moving to the Port Angeles Police Department.
For more than 30 years, Gallagher served in law enforcement as one of the finest officers and police chiefs, Benedict said.
“And may we never see your name in headlines again,” Benedict said.
On Thursday, Gallagher said he plans to spend two months in South America visiting former exchange students he has hosted.
When he returns home, he will look for some kind of “flexible” work, such as consulting on jobs where he can visit other cities for extended periods, then return home to Port Angeles.
Gallagher will be joined in retirement today by another longtime police department employee.
Another retiree
Elizabeth Zenonian, who retired as records supervisor in 2008 and has served as administrative assistant since that time, will complete more than 33 years at the police department.
Zenonian began working at the police department April 6, 1982, and predates Gallagher’s arrival at the department.
“We’re going to hold hands and cartwheel across the parking lot,” Gallagher said of their dual departure.
___________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.