Two Veteran Police Officers Retire

Two veteran police officers have retired from the police department. 

* Corporal Kenneth R. Eastridge, 63, served 29 years with the department.

A Vietnam Veteran, he served in the U.S. Army after graduating from Freedom High School in Bethlehem. He received his Act 120 certification through the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and was hired by South Whitehall in December 1982.  He served as a patrol officer until his promotion to Corporal in January 1997. 

* Investigator Michael R. Harbove, 60, served 36 years and nine months with the department.

A graduate of Whitehall High School, he attained an associate's degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He received Act 120 certification through the Allentown Police Academy, and he was hired by South Whitehall in March 1975. He served as a patrol officer until his appointment to Investigator in the Criminal Investigation Division in July 1988.  

The retirements were effective at the end of December 2011.

South Whitehall Chief Thomas Toth lauded both men for their decades of service to the township. He told South Whitehall commissioners at their meeting last week that the men will be deeply missed.