Cobourg Police Constable Frank Francella called it a career on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
After 23-years as a police officer, most of those with the Cobourg Police Service, Francella said it was right time and plans on moving to his home of Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to his family.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., Francella pulled into the police station for the final time and signed off on the radio dispatch with Owen Sound communications.
“After 23-years of policing this will be my final transmission. It’s been a pleasure to serve with officers and civilians. Thank you Owen Sound for your service. To my fellow officers take care of yourselves and be safe. To my family and friends – 242 out.”
Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf presented Francella with a wallet and his retirement badge and a Chief’s Challenge coin.
“Once a police officer receives a badge, they always have a badge.”
Along with the badge, VandeGraaf always said his mom always said it would be bad luck to give a wallet without anything in it, so a Tim Hortons card was placed in the wallet.
Cobourg Police Service Pipes and Drums Mary Ito piped Francella from the office on his retirement.
Francella said the day was a “very emotional roller coaster.”
“I had a great career. I loved policing.”
“The people of Cobourg are second-to-none.”
The biggest change over Francella’s career is how police deal with mental health.
“Mental health has come to the forefront not only for police officers but for everyone in the province.”
The number of calls for mental health, the training and bringing social workers in to assist the police.
“We’re still behind, but we’re doing the best that we can.”
One of the most memorable times of his career is walking a young child into school for the first time.
“He wouldn’t go with mom, so he took my hand walked him down the hallway to show him the cruiser, then I walked him to class and he was fine.”
Francella said leading the Remembrance Day parades on the Cobourg Police Service motorcycle and also standing alongside his son at the cenotaph who was a army cadet where the cadets had an overnight vigil.
The night of May 15, 2004 when Cobourg Police Constable Chris Garrett was murdered in the line of duty always stands out for Francella.
“We had a close shift. A lot of great people.”
“I remember Chris daily when I come into work.”
Francella carried Garrett’s cap liner with him during work and now that he is retiring he handed it off to another police officer.
It’s unknown what the next chapter will be for Francella but he is moving back to Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to his family and where he grew up.
“For right now, the busy will be my lifestyle, a lot of ice fishing, a lot of hunting and a lot of enjoying family.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
