Sewickley Policeman Retires After More Than Two Decades

Officer Tony Siegel spent his last day Tuesday reminiscing with fellow officers and borough employees.

“I’ll miss the guys more than anything,” Siegel said. “…I had a lot of good times here.”

Siegel, 65, officially retired on his 22nd anniversary.

He began his law enforcement career in 1982 as a police officer for the Aliquippa and Coraopolis police departments. He served with the U.S. Army as a recruiter from 1986 to 1987 and began working with the Sewickley Police Department in April 1989.

When he started out, he walkws the business district.

“I used to go into all the businesses and talk to people and that . . . we got to meet a lot of people down there,” he said.

Over the years, he also responded to numerous calls involving animals, including raccoons, snakes, possums and bats.

One of his most memorable calls was about five years ago, he said, when he used CPR to revive a man who overdosed on drugs. Siegel believes the chest compressions he performed helped get the man’s blood circulating. When the ambulance arrived, the man had a pulse and was taken to the hospital, Siegal said.

“I tried to give him a second chance at life. You analyze the situation and do what you’ve got to do.”

Sewickley police Chief James Ersher said Siegel has been an exemplary officer through his career. Siegal also served as the department’s range master and firearms instructor.

Siegel retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 2009. He began his military career in February 1968 through 1970 when he was assigned to a combat unit in Vietnam. He returned to active duty to train troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. During this time, he received several honors, including the Bronze Star, Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with combat distinguished service.