The Glen Cove PBA, with President Sgt. Pat Hall at the wheel, held a retirement party for Chief Timothy Edwards on July 20 at the Soundview Restaurant. Music was provided by the Les Stanco Group and memories, laughs and warm wishes were provided by all in attendance.

The illustrious guest list included County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi and Judge Richard J. McCord. In response to an "All Points Bulletin" came many retired police officers including Angelo Capobianco, Jimmy Kinsella, Cesar Toldo, Dennis Maffei, Fred LaMere, Alan Baade, Brian Fitzpatrick, Sal Taranto, Frank Loviglio, Fred Barwick, Anthony Pascucci, Robert Grella, Frank Heenan, and Rocky Yula. The APB also brought home four former Glen Cove Commissioners of Public Safety: Tom Martin, Leroy Moran, Ben Farnan and Michael Martone. Nassau County PBA President Gary DellaRaba also congratulated Chief Edwards.

Many stories, some oft repeated and some locked away in the memories of longtime friends, saw the light of day at the party, including one which centered around Chief Edwards' ability to play the piano in an unusual manner. When asked for further clarification, this reporter was succinctly told, "You don't wanna know." While the response only served to pique her interest, the prudent reporter backed off.

While Chief Edwards and company could undoubtedly tell tales of derring-do that would keep many a listener up at night unable to sleep, those were cast aside while friends regaled the man of the hour (and he them) with tales that kept them up all night laughing and celebrating.

There was the time that former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy stopped the chief to ask for directions to West Island and he didn't know how to get there, as well as those nights of solving the world's problems at "Tavern on the Exxon" and in the Tiffany (Soundview) Restaurant. Friendships set in motion at Stem's Bar have lasted for generations and many a memory was launched aboard the S.S. Unit on a trip to LaMotta's in Port Washington.

One would presume that the account of a person sponsoring another for American citizenship would be a story of pride, or at least camaraderie, but when the characters are Chief Edwards and John Sissons respectively, the chief's take is, "I should have known better...but we're all entitled to one mistake." Quite the comedian, that Timmy Edwards. And with his retirement, there comes a lot more time to hone his skills.