By Doug La Rocque
There was a large turnout of law enforcement along with many first responders, village, state and county officials as well as family members and residents last Wednesday, October 17, as the portion of Route 22 that travels through the Village of Cambridge, was dedicated to the late Police Chief George Bell.
The law enforcement veteran was an icon in the village, as well as in the Village of Greenwich, where he spent nearly 20 years as chief of the combined police departments. Prior to that, he spent almost 20 years serving other departments in Washington County, including the Sheriff’s Department.
Chief Bell died in March of a heart attack. Shortly after taking office, 107th District Assemblyman Jake Ashby introduced a bill that would rename the section of the highway in his honor. He was joined in the action by State Senators Kathy Marchione and Betty Little, as well as Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law in August.
Speaking with The Eastwick Press in the evening following the ceremony, Cambridge Mayor Carmen Bogle spoke of how the Chief made the two Washington County villages part of his heart and soul. The joint department is now under the command of sergeant Robert Danko, who Mayor Bogle says many people have taken to calling Chief. She feels Sergeant Danko may some day soon be officially appointed to the job and will do well. But in the hearts and the minds of the people of Cambridge and Greenwich, there will always only be one “Chief.”