Crime & Safety

WATCH: Beloved West Hartford Police Officer Retires And Answers His Final Call

'Officer Dave' is moving on from the WHPD for a new gig teaching forensic science at a Connecticut university.

The West Hartford Police Department recently said 'goodbye' to a longtime law enforcer who has retired to teach at a Connecticut university.
The West Hartford Police Department recently said 'goodbye' to a longtime law enforcer who has retired to teach at a Connecticut university. (Tim Jensen/Patch)

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A veteran law enforcer bid adieu to the West Hartford Police Department with the WHPD offering their appreciation via a touching video.

Badge No. 300 — aka WHPD Officer David Santora — retired after more than two decades on the local force.

Over the weekend, his colleagues paid special tribute to him as he signed off for the final time, a moment captured on film and posted.

Find out what's happening in West Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Over his career, Ofc. Santora was assigned to the patrol division, traffic division, and most recently the community relations division," wrote the WHPD.

Known as "Officer Dave," the new retiree is best remembered "for his smile and ability to bridge the gap with the community we serve."

Find out what's happening in West Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Like the pro that he is. Santora didn't show any open emotion while answering his final call.

But he won't be done preparing future law enforcers.

Santora will become a professor of forensic science at the University of New Haven, according to the WHPD.

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