v 6 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, January 27, 1993 *Sabol (continued from page 1) Besides his duties as police chief, Sabol's resume is a book on public service. He is a “Gold Card” mem- ber of the Trucksville Volunteer Fire Department, having spent 28 years as a member of the organiza- tion. He is a life member and for- mer treasurer of the Back Moun- tain Police Association. Sabol holds the prestigious honor of having served as immedi- ate past president of the Pennsyl- vania Chiefs of Police Association, the highest honor given to a PA police chief. He currently serves as a Chairman of the Association's Executive Board. He was a founder of the King- ston Township Ambulance Asso- ciation and, since 1987, has served as president of the Back Mountain Control Center Joint Operating Commission. He is also a member of the George M. Dallas Lodge 531, F & AM, the Caldwell Consistory and Irem Temple. Heck, he even designed the logo for the department's cruisers, util- izing the township outline and the black and orange colors of the old Kingston Township High School. “I like the community and the people in the community,” Sabol said ofthe reason for his active role in community activities. “I think everyone should take pride in his or her community. I still want to remain active, but in what way, I don't know right now.” Sabol, who has a son Paul R. and a daughter Pamela along with five grandchildren, is widely known for his work in promoting the Back Mountain Police Association's annual Ham and Egg breakfast which benefits LUZARC (Luzerne County Association for Retarded Citizens). According to Sabol, he had a special motivation for getting in- volved with the event. “Mark Kunkle, one of our for- mer township managers, haa a Down Syndrome child,” explained Sabol. “Mark approached me and asked if the Association would like to help out. In the first year, he was the chairman and I was the co- chairman. When he left the area, I became the chairman. It's another way I could give something back to the community.” Sabol has seen many changes in the police force since he began as a part-time officer. Changes from the size of the department to the equipment they use. “I was approached by (former) Chief Herbert Updyke about be- coming a police officer,” recalled Sabol. “I always respected and admired police officers. My uncle THE SABOL FAMILY - Retiring Kingston Twp. Police Chief Paul Sabol’s entire family turned out Sunday, January 24, for a reception in his honor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Back row from left: daughter-in-law Gina Sabol, son Robert Sabol, daughter Pam Harsha, son-in-law Dr. Patrick Harsha, grandson Robert Harsha; front row: granddaughter Leigh Sabol, Mrs. Ferne Sabol holding grandson Patrick Harsha, Chief Sabol and grandson Mike Sabol. (Post Photo/Grace R. Dove) Friends of 30 years wish chief well By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff About 200 friends and neighbors turned out to honor retiring Kingston Township Chief of Police Paul Sabol, soon to become a civilian after 30 years in police work, at a reception Sunday, January 24, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shavertown. “I think that I'll spend my first week of retirement just doing what I want to,” Sabol wisecracked. “Of course, if Jim needs any help, I'll be just a phone call away,” he - added, referring to. his successor, SergeantJim Balavage, who will be sworn in as chief February 1. Colorful signs designed by Carole Loberg decorated the basement of St. Paul's, wishing everything from “Happy Hunting" and “Best Wishes” to “Good-bye Tension - Hello Pension.” As family, friends and neighbors gathered for hugs and well-wishes, Sabol unwrapped two gifts that he'll certainly enjoy: a guide to the best trout streams in Pennsylvania and a large stuffed rainbow trout, a joke gift from Mrs. Ginny Hill. The Sabol family turned out in full force: wife Ferne, son Robert, daughter Pam Harsha, daughter- in-law Gina Sabol, son-in-law Dr. Patrick Harsha and grandchildren CATCH OF THE DAY - Retiring Kingston Twp. Police Chief Paul Sabol and his grandson and fishing buddy Mike Sabol, show off a stuffed rainbow trout, a joke gift from Mrs. Ginny Hill, at a reception in his honor January 24 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. (Post Photo/ Grace R. Dove) Fax your ad! to The Dallas Post 675-3650 Combine your auto and homeowners insurance policies into ONE Comprehensive Coverage Competitive Rates CNA's Universal Security Policy (or:]/ Slocum Insurance Agency, Inc. 575 Memorial Hwy. Dallas, PA 18612 675-1167 — NJ Leigh and Mike Sabol and Bob and Patrick Harsha. Refreshments were provided by Herbert Hill and Robert Chamberlain, while Mr. and Mrs. Hill donated flowers and corsages. Mr. and Mrs. William Tippett donated the guest book. Planning committee members were William and Dorothy Tippett, Herbert and Bernie Hill, Robert and Lorraine Chamberlain, Sharon Versari, Ben Gorey, Jeff Box and Carole Loberg. and grandfather were policemen. I liked people. I was a volunteer fireman and I was with the ambu- lance company. I was a part-time cop for eight years and I became chief in 1972. “We didn't have radios back then,” Sabol said of the early equip- ment. “We used to call in each half- hour or go to the station and wait for a call. Later, we went to CB radios and then to high band. Today, we have all kinds of things, including computers. We only had four officers when I started. Today, we have eight full-time officers.” Sabol admits his eyes were opened to a new world following the 1972 Agnes flood, which flooded the Wyoming Valley. Nearly 500 mobile homes were brought to the township, along with a different criminal element. “We learned a lot during that time,” said Sabol. “There were drugs in the trailer parks and there were all different kinds of people. It was like a kind of education in a very short time. I réally learned a lot.” Sabol recalled one of his most memorable cases and one of his more humorous ones. “I'll never forget one case we had,” Sabol said. “"One of our offi- cers, Skip Davis, had his home robbed along with three or four other houses. The people had taken a lot of items, including Skip's gun. We worked around the clock and within 24 hours, we recovered the property and and arrested the people involved. “Then there was a guy,” contin- ued Sabol, “who wanted to cut his throat. But he wanted to do it from ‘the inside. Those were his words, not mine. He wanted to take a knife, put it down his throat, and cut it from the inside. We talked him out of it and got the knife. We laughed about it later.” But it will be his work away from crimes that will be remembered most about Sabol. He'll be remem- bered for his work within the commmunity. Especially the young people. “I've always tried to be close with the young people of the com- munity,” says Sabol. “I used to take some of them hunting or fish- ing. You always hope you can make a difference in people, especially when it comes to kids." Amid the plaques and commen- dations that adorn the walls of Sabol’s office hangs a simple paint- ing of a shining Jesus hovering over a patrol car. It's a constant reminder of at least one life he has touched. “There was a kid who had trouble with drugs and alcohol,” says Sabol, staring at the painting. “He got into a little bit of trouble with us. Later, he got his life straight- ened out and moved to California. He painted that picture and sent it to me. It's been there ever since.” Paul Michael Sabol will be hon- EVENINGS BY CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES APPOINTMENT 651 WYOMING AVE. KINGSTON 283-5116 MON-SAT 10-5 74. 4 - ave us clean your house / apartment and receive one room cleaned FREE! (P; © ° o en, *< Take Advantage Of Our Spring Cleaning Specials > Schedule Now & Receive 10% Discount 1-800-956-MAID TLE) 457-9522 CALL NOW! Free Estimates Senior Citizen Discount Fully Insured & Bonded ored this Friday evening at a testi- monial dinner at Convention Hall in Pittston, hours after he com- pletes his final day as a police officer. Chief Sabol has given more than 30 years of relentless dedica- tion to the citizens of Kingston Township. What his peers say about Paul Sabol, chief and man “His accomplishments speak for themselves. He climbed the ladder right to the top in the state (Sabol served as imme- diate past president of the PA Police Chiefs Association). Paul is not just respected in the Back Mountain. He is respected statewide.” Carl Miers Dallas Township Police Chief “His 30 years of service is probably the most wide-ranging Jor a person in this kind of job. It’s been endless. The people of Kingston Township, the Back Mountain and the citizens of Luzerne County in general, have been more than well-served by Paul being in his position. He has a way of utilizing the ‘human factor’ when it comes to police work. I just want to build on the foundation that he’s established.” Jim Balavage Incoming Kingston Township Police Chief “He was like my right hand. He was like a father-figure to me. He gave many years of advice and service to the people. He instilled in his officers that they were a service-oriented police department. He believed that service to the community was his foremost objective. His entire life has been service to the community, above and beyond the call of duty.” Fred Potzer Former Kingston Township Manager “He's always been very dedicated to the community. He's always been there to help. We never would have had the (emergency) 911 system in the Back Mountain if it wasn’t for Paul. He’s been a great chief and a great officer to work with.” Jack Fowler Dallas Borough Police Chief “Everyonel’ve ever spuken to about Paul Sabol has spoken very highly of him. He handled each case individually and in a professional manner. I've never known him to say a bad word about anyone. 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