40-Year Career Of Bel Air Police Officer Celebrated

BEL AIR, MD — A police officer in Bel Air was honored this week for 40 years of service to the town.

First Class Officer Zach Miller was celebrated with a brief ceremony.

"I've never seen somebody so dedicated to the town and to the citizens of this community," Bel Air Police Chief Charles Moore said.

"You are a pillar of strength in the town of Bel Air and the police department, and we had to recognize you," Moore said at the ceremony at Town Hall, where he was joined by a handful of people, including the town administrator and mayor.

"We need more employees like that," Bel Air Mayor Amy Chmielewski said. "It was nice to see him and how happy he is and how proud he is to still be a police officer for the town of Bel Air."

Det. Corp. Matthew Gullion and Officer Nick Rhodes helped make Miller's recognition happen, according to town spokesperson Patti Parker.

"It is something to really commend and be grateful for, and we're so happy to have him with us," Parker said at Tuesday's virtual town hall meeting with the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

"There have been a handful of officers to put in a similar amount of time, but not many," Parker, whose father was a member of the Bel Air Police Department's Auxiliary for 30 years, told Patch. She said Officer Rich Pecheck will be recognized for 40 years of service as well.

Watch a clip from the ceremony honoring Officer First Class Zach Miller: