Fond farewell to dedicated cop

At the 68th Precinct Community Council’s March meeting, precinct officers, auxiliary officers and local residents gathered to celebrate the retirement of Auxiliary Coordinator, P.O. Joseph DiPaolo.

DiPaolo, a 68th Precinct veteran, retired after 20 years of service with warm wishes.

Captain Richard DiBlasio, the precinct’s commanding officer, said the precinct has, “The most successful auxiliary program in Brooklyn South, if not the entire city,” due in part to the dedication of DiPaolo, who had given the 68th Precinct, “20 years of commitment, 20 years of success, 20 years of making friends in Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton.”

Addressing DiPaolo, Auxiliary Deputy Inspector Rose Raccuglia praised, “You’ve gone well beyond the call of duty. You’ve been a bright star in our unit.”

The praise continued. “He’s great. He is really going to be missed as an auxiliary coordinator. He did a fantastic job. He was really part of our family,” said Tony Christo, auxiliary chief for Brooklyn South, after the event.

Speaking to the group, DiPaolo noted, “My dad grew up in the community. It’s the best community in Brooklyn and in the city. If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it in the same place with the same people.”

Wrapping up the award ceremony, Ilene Sacco, President of the 68th Precinct Community Council, concluded, “He’s just a nice guy. I don’t know if there’s any better compliment.”