Florence Township Police Department Sgt. Domenique Golden retired in October after serving the community for over two decades.
by Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — The township celebrated the 142nd anniversary of its incorporation, which occurred earlier this month, by recognizing a retiring police officer and several crossing guards during the March 19 council meeting.
”In 1872, March 7, Florence Township became incorporated,” Mayor Craig Wilkie said. “Many of us know that our community goes well beyond that back to the 1830s (or) 1803. There are different dates. There is different significance.”
Florence Township Police Department Sgt. Domenique Golden retired in October after serving the community for over two decades.
”The police are one of the things that are very special because when someone is in trouble and most people like to run from those types of things we’re appreciative for the group that chooses to go after and take care of us,” Mayor Wilkie said.
Florence Township Police Department Chief Alvin Scully took a couple of minutes to talk about what a pleasure it was working with Sgt. Golden, who began his service to Florence on September, 5, 1990.
”It was a pleasure working with you Dom,” said Chief Scully. “Dom did a good job. He always had a calm demeanor.”
Capt. Brian Boldizar also noted that Sgt. Golden was a “great training officer.”
”He taught me a lot and even when I got out on the road, and I don’t know how he did it, but he was always at the right place at the right time,” Capt. Boldizar said. “(We are) going to miss you Dom.”
Det. James Ford, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 210, congratulated Sgt. Golden and reflected on the time one dedicates to the department and away from his family.
”I find it ironic when you retire that someone gives you a clock or a watch,” said Det. Ford. “It is symbolic of the time somebody dedicates to a job like this. Now that you are retired use that clock to enjoy every minute.”
Sgt. Golden thanked council for the opportunity to serve.
”It was a pleasure and I did it with pride,” said Sgt. Golden. “To the citizens of Florence Township, thank you for the privilege to serve you.
”It was an honor to serve with you as well,” Sgt. Golden also said of his fellow officers. “You made it worthwhile and you made it tough on me to leave.”
He thanked his family for “tolerating” him all those years. He thanked his children “for making it easy to be a good father.” He noted he was “nothing” without his wife and thanked god for his 25 years in law enforcement “without a scratch.”
A number of crossing guards have retired over the past year, he said.Harold Blakeslee, of Florence, retired in January after nearly a decade serving the township as a crossing guard.
”I enjoyed doing it,” said Mr. Blakeslee, adding that “age and health caught up with me.”
Also recognized was his wife, Inez Blakeslee, who was stationed at Pine and Third streets, the middle school and the intersection of Delaware Avenue and the railroad tracks. Like her husband, she also spent just under 10 years as a crossing guard.
Stephen “Fuzzy” Fazekas, Sr., of Florence, served from March 16, 2000 to Dec. 7, 2006 and again from Oct. 14, 2008 to June 18, 2013.
”We had a lot of fun,” said Mr. Fazekas.
Florence Township Police Department Capt. Boldizar acknowledged the crossing guards and said “despite the lip they might get from the kids they still go out there and enjoy what they are doing.”
”We give the crossing guards a lot of credit,” said Capt. Boldizar. “Every morning, every afternoon whether it’s snowing out, it’s raining out, especially with the winter that we just had they are always out there. They are always on time.”
Mayor Wilkie wished all the retirees “best wishes for good health, happiness, and prosperity in your retirement” on behalf of council.

