Palmer bids farewell to police chief, welcomes replacement

PALMER — When all was said and done Friday, Palmer Police Chief Russ Boatright left the room badgeless, having moved the badge pinned to his chest to that of his replacement, Tom Remaley.

In turn, Remaley, who until Friday was the department’s commander, handed his badge to Lance Ketterling, who was promoted from sergeant to commander.

“Chief Boatright has reached that point in his career we all work for — turning over his last command,” said Palmer Emergency Services Director Jon Owen, before turning to Remaley, about whom he’d already spoken very highly. “You have some big shoes to fill, And the job is now yours.”

Boatright told the crowd of mostly city officials and dignitaries that the success of the police department is the success of the city, and vice versa.

“This is an honorable following and continued success will always rest on their shoulders,” Boatright said of his replacements, saying that success hinges on their continued commitment to mentor, equip and support their rank-and-file officers.

For his part, Remaley said the pomp and circumstance had nothing to do with him or Ketterling.

“Our promotions are not about us. It’s not about us or our achievements, it’s about you,” Remaley said.

If the department wasn’t a good one, the city would look outside for leadership and wind up with someone who promised to fix problems, but couldn’t. Because without good rank-and-file, Remaley said, you’ll never have a good department.

“It’s you I thank for this promotion,” he told the numerous uniformed officers in the room.

Ketterling echoed that.

“It’s now our station to take care of you,” he said. “I am honored to be here.”

Owen pointed to statistics to show the department had improved. Prior to Boatright, he said the Palmer department had some of the highest turnover in the state. It was a training ground for other departments, where officers left at the first chance for something better.

But Boatright, Remaley and Ketterling changed that, Owen said. The proof is in the stats: The average officer has 9.5 years on the force.

“We love each other like family, we support each other,” Owen said.

Palmer Mayor DeLena Johnson said she knew the department was a good one when she was still campaigning for the job.

“When I went door-to-door I heard all positive things about the Palmer Police Department, and that’s not real common,” she said.

Sen. Linda Menard said she is confident the department is in good hands.

“We have seen two people take their oaths who are stellar human beings,” Menard said.

State Rep. Shelley Hughes, who, like Remaley and Ketterling, was sworn into office Friday, said she was struck to hear Boatright described in Owen’s speech as “beloved.”

“I don’t know that that would be the case in many cities,” she said.

Owen pointed out that even internally at police agencies it’s not the case. In two decades of law enforcement, he said, this is the first time he’d seen a departing chief mourned.

“Normally the police officers are rejoicing,” he said.

Capt. Hans Brinke, head of the Alaska State Troopers in the Valley, presented Boatright with an ashtray designed to let him set a cigar down in the car and a floating, waterproof camouflage humidor. Boatright likes cigars. And fishing.

“The Palmer Police Department has always been there for us,” Brinke told Boatright, by way of explaining his appreciation for the chief.

“There’s no way that we alone can protect the public,” Boatright replied. “There are times when we’re being hammered, they’re right there to back us up.”

During the ceremony, the retiring chief succinctly summed his law enforcement philosophy.

“It’s not always about arresting people, it’s oftentimes a matter of doing the right thing,” he said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.