Windsor Police Department wasn’t Tom LePore’s first choice for a job in law enforcement. But his position in town turned out to be his last.
The Windsor Police captain, who retired Friday after more than 35 years as a cop, started out in Farmington as a part-time supernumerary, with designs on getting on the force full-time.
At the time, he also worked behind the grill at Kathy John’s in the Westfarms mall.
“Like everyone else, I was just looking to get a full-time job,” said LePore, 56.
That included applying to departments in Windsor and Simsbury, as well as the state police because there were no full-time openings in Farmington.
Windsor was the first to respond. LePore remembers telling the board interviewing him that if they gave him the job, he’d spend his entire career in Windsor — a promise he made good on, having spent most of his time in town.
“I gave them 35-plus [years],” he said last week. “I could have left after 25.”
During his time with the department, LePore, a West Hartford native, spent time in patrol and as a detective, as well as 11 years as a patrol sergeant. He spent the last 15 years as captain.
His first assignment with the department was to go undercover in drinking establishments and to infiltrate the local drug trade. LePore was chosen because he was young — and looked even younger. LePore said he made some low level arrests but decided he wanted to move on to uniformed patrol after almost being thrown off a third story porch by someone attempting to buy drugs.
LePore said he liked every assignment he had, but his favorite was being a patrol sergeant because it gave him an opportunity to work with the same group of people and also be in the field.
“Patrol is the heartbeat of a police department,” he said.
In leadership positions, LePore said, he had two rules: do your job and be honest.
“If you do that, even if you make a mistake, we can work with that,” he said.
The idea of retiring started to gain momentum about five years ago, but then-Chief Kevin Searles became ill and had to retire. LePore didn’t want to leave a new chief who didn’t have an experienced second in command, so LePore committed to another five years. Current Chief Donald Melanson will hit the five year mark later this year.
Melanson said last week that LePore has a plethora of knowledge and history of the town and the department, adding that LePore has always given his best for Windsor and the police department.
“Tom’s career is an example of all that’s good in law enforcement,” Melanson said.
LePore said he decided to retire after accident on Kennedy Road last August, where his patrol car was totaled but he walked away with just a cut.
He also said it’s time for the next generation of officers to take the reins; he’s hired 24 officers in the last three years and only one person from when LePore joined remains with the department.
Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks said last week that LePore’s departure will leave a void of knowledge of the job and the institution that LePore gained through taking advantage of learning opportunities.
“I hope the next generation of officers follow that lead and better themselves,” Trinks said.
As for what he’ll miss, LePore said he’ll miss the camaraderie, the people and the community.
“But I won’t miss the police power,” he said.
And if you’re driving through town this fall and see a familiar face riding a lawn mower or blowing leaves, you’ll know what LePore has chosen for his next chapter.
“I’m going to go cut grass,” he said.
Steven Goode can be reached at sgoode@courant.com.
