The Riverhead Police Department has its first female lieutenant.
Sgt. Danielle Willsey was promoted to the rank of lieutenant today by the town board during a ceremony at the beginning of the board’s regular meeting.
Willsey, who first joined the department in 2006, was promoted to the rank of sergeant in July 2018. Willsey placed first on the Department of Civl Service list for lieutenant, according to the resolution passed unanimously by the town board today.
Willsey’s appointment fills a vacancy created by a retirement, Chief David Hegermiller said.
“It’s a great honor… a proud day for you and your family,” Councilman Tim Hubbard, a retired Riverhead Police detective, told Willsey. “We’re very proud of you, as a town board, that you work for the police department and all the work that you’ve done and how you’ve climbed up the ranks,” Hubbard said.
Supervisor Yvette Aguiar congratulated Willsey. “I know how hard you work. I took the sergeant’s test and the lieutenant’s test and I passed them and they were not easy,” said the supervisor, a retired NYC police officer. “We have a great police department. We’re going to continue to have a great police department and be safe and continue to serve your community well,” Aguiar said.
The town board today also approved the promotion of Police Officer James Welsh to the position of sergeant. Welsh was number two on the Civil Service sergeant list, according to the resolution elevating him to his new rank.
“Great officer. We’re very proud of you,” Hubbard said.
Willsey and Welsh were joined by family members and fellow officers for today’s ceremonies.
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