Female Warminster Police Officer Retires After Breaking Barriers

WARMINSTER, PA —For 28 years, Carol Battistini Fawdy shattered the glass ceiling in the Warminster Township Police Department.

She was the first woman ever in the department to achieve certain ranks and carve out a name for herself, first as a civilian officer and then for the next 27 years on the police force before retiring at the end of June.

Fawdy isn't just leaving the police department.

She's leaving town, moving to Houston after getting married although Police Chief James Donnelly still has to remember not to call her by her maiden name as she was listed on the agenda of the last township supervisors meeting, where she was recognized for her service.

Before being honored at the July meeting, she told Patch that her retirement is "a huge adjustment."

State Rep. Brian Munroe, a former township supervisor, was on hand to present Fawdy with a proclamation and a state flag in her honor.

"You're not entering the job. You're entering a brotherhood and sisterhood," said Munroe, a former police officer. "With retirement, you will be leaving all that pressure behind. But you don't. You will always be a police officer in your mind."

Munroe presented the retiring officer with a state House of Representatives proclamation recognizing citizens who devote their time to the Commonwealth. It noted her official department start date of Aug. 9, 1996, and her retirement date of June 30.

He also rattled off a list of accomplishments: The then-Battistini served as an undercover narcotics officer, the D.A.R.E. officer at the township's middle schools, a field training officer, and a juvenile officer. She was also involved with the B squad and negotiations unit.

She also achieved the status of becoming the first female corporal in the police department's history and its first female sergeant ever.

"She served with consummate skill and as a role model," Munroe read, adding that the "respectful tribute" noted her service with "pride and gratitude."

"It was truly an honor to serve all the residents of Warminster," she told the crowd. "We have a superb police department."

Munroe also gave the retiring officer a Commonwealth flag in her honor.

"Enjoy your retired life," Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said. "It was a pleasure having you serve."