WATERTOWNÂ â As a new year closed in, one era ended and a new one began in the history of the Watertown Police Department. The skies may have been cloudy and the temperature may have been on the chilly side, but the memories and messages of thanks were warm as family, friends, colleagues and state and local officials bade a fond farewell to retiring Police Chief John Gavallas in front of Watertown Police Department headquarters on December 30.
Chief Gavallas, calling it a day after 51 years in law enforcement, a career which began less than one month after the first moon landing in 1969, was the focus of an emotional salute which at times seemed to overwhelm him.