The Riverhead Town Police Department is about to have a change in leadership.
Chief of Police David Hegermiller is ending his long career with the department, RiverheadLOCAL has learned.
A 43-year veteran of the town police force, Hegermiller has served as chief of the department for 22 years. He joined the department on Nov. 16, 1981 and rose through the ranks to the top spot. He has served as chief since March 23, 2002. Then a captain, he was appointed to succeed retiring Chief Joseph Grattan.
Hegermiller, 65, confirmed his impending departure in a text message this morning. He said he gave the town two-weeks notice. His last day will be the end of this month.
“It’s time,” he said. He did not respond to questions about whether he is retiring or leaving for a position elsewhere.
“It’s definitely the end of an era,” Supervisor Tim Hubbard said when reached for comment today.
“The chief really led this town through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hubbard said. “It was uncharted waters. He really took the reins and got us through that,” he said. “He worked on that tirelessly. He did a great job with that. To me, that’s his legacy.”
Hegermiller has been the chief of probably one of the best police departments in Suffolk County, Hubbard said. As supervisor Hubbard also serves as police commissioner. He is a retired Riverhead Police detective as well, working under Hegermiller.
“We’re a busy, busy department. We have a lot of issues they deal with. It’s amazing the number of cases they close out by arrests. I’m very proud of that,” Hubbard said, crediting Hegermiller.
Hegermiller’s successor has not yet been named. The department’s upper ranks include longtime Capt. Richard Smith and three lieutenants, Lt. Edward Frost, Lt. Danielle Willsey and Lt. Jonathan Devereaux.
Hubbard said he has conferred with the board and all agree they are very interested in promoting from within. The captain, a 36-year veteran, will likely retire soon also, Hubbard said. Currently the only lieutenant on the county’s Civil Service list for the position is Frost.
“We’ve just called for the list,” the supervisor said.
“We’ve got to move pretty quickly on this, because Chief is leaving us pretty quickly,” Hubbard said.
Editor’s note: This article was amended after it was first published to add the comments of Supervisor Tim Hubbard.
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