Veteran cop, fire chief honored at Morristown council meeting

Frank Somma, right, gets proclamation from Mayor Tim Dougherty and standing ovation from the Morristown Council on 'Frank Somma Day,' Nov. 20, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Frank Somma, right, gets proclamation from Mayor Tim Dougherty and standing ovation from the Morristown Council on 'Frank Somma Day,' Nov. 20, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
0

 

One got his badge back. The other got an award he insisted he did not deserve.

Together, Frank Somma and Robert Flanagan made for an emotional night at the Morristown Council on Tuesday.

Morristown Police Chief Pete Demnitz returns badge to retiring Special Officer Frank Somma, Nov. 20, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown Police Chief Pete Demnitz returns badge to retiring Special Officer Frank Somma, Nov. 20, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“We’ve come a long way in this town,” said Somma, who should know. He is retiring after 47 years as an unpaid special police officer.

Mayor Tim Dougherty proclaimed Tuesday “Frank Somma Day,” and Police Chief Pete Demnitz gave back Somma’s badge — surrendered at retirement–along with a hug.

“Wow,” the chief said. “What else can you say when someone gives you 47 years?”

Frank Somma, right, gets hug from Police Chief Pete Demnitz, Nov.20, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Frank Somma, right, gets hug from Police Chief Pete Demnitz, Nov.20, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Somma started as a special officer in 1971. Over the years, he assisted full-time cops on patrols, worked parades, and served as bailiff for the municipal court.

In 1980, he also was named the town’s emergency management coordinator. Somma had to call the mayor, out fishing after his first election victory, with news in 2010 that the library had blown up.

Somma, credited by the mayor with securing federal reimbursements after Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, will continue as Morristown’s deputy coordinator of emergency management.

Flanagan, the fire chief, received a Patriot Award from the Department of Defense. It recognized his support for Firefighter Kevin Morse, a first sergeant in the Army National Guard who is being deployed to the Middle East for the second time.

“I’m not a fan of recognition,” said Flanagan. “But this man here — I call him Sarge at the fire house–he’s the real patriot. He’s being deployed again, away from his wife and children, for another year. To me, you’re the real patriot, and all my thoughts are that you come home safely.”

Morristown Firefighter and Army National Guard First Sgt. Kevin Morris, left, with Fire Chief Robert Flanagan, Nov. 20, 2018. Morris nominated Flanagan for a Patriot Award. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown Firefighter and Army National Guard First Sgt. Kevin Morse, left, with Fire Chief Robert Flanagan, Nov. 20, 2018. Morris nominated Flanagan for a Patriot Award. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Gerard Felt, representing the Defense Department, also gave the town a certificate acknowledging its support for Morris, a firefighter for six years and a Guardsman for 28.

Morse was deployed to Bahrain for a year in 2014. Early in 2019, he is bound for Qatar. He won’t come back to visit his wife and two kids, ages 6 and 3, over the next year because returning to duty would be too hard, he said.

Yet he is glad to serve.

“I could retire,” Morse said. “But you get emotionally attached to it. It’s part of your life. It doesn’t let you go.”

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

LEAVE A REPLY