HEADLINE:
STORY:
Sgt. John Suppa may not win many foot races, but says he's more than healthy enough to keep up with his job as the oldest police officer in Westchester County.
Unfortunately for him and other officers who look up to him, he'll no longer get that chance. Due to the state's mandatory age restrictions for police, Suppa's being forced to retire as he approaches his 70th birthday.
"I would definitely go beyond 70, but I've got to go by what the law says," said Suppa, a traffic sergeant whose last day on the job is tomorrow. He turns 70 on Sept. 14.
Suppa, a former construction worker, joined the Port Chester Police Department in January 1965 even though it meant a drop in pay. This was at a time Lyndon Johnson was president and astronauts had yet to reach the moon.
"I was born and raised in Port Chester and thought I could make a difference in crime," explained Suppa, who was one of several members of his family to serve. One of Suppa's sons reported to him when he was on the force before retiring on disability. His cousin, meanwhile, is a detective........
......A low-key guy, Suppa has warned fellow officers not to throw him any sort of retirement party.
The chief laughed when asked whether a party was planned, saying: "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."
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Publication Date: August 16, 2007
Reprter: Shawn Cohen at spcohen@lohud.com or 914-694-5046.
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