Head Of State Police Announces Retirement

HARTFORD (AP) — The head of the Connecticut State Police announced December 1 that he will retire effective January 1.

Colonel Edward J. Lynch, who joined the state police in 1982, informed Governor M. Jodi Rell earlier this week that he has accepted a security position in private industry, although specifics of his new job and employer were not released.

Lynch has held every rank in the department, from road trooper to colonel and deputy commander of the state’s Department of Public Safety.

Rell said Lynch informed her shortly after she became governor in 2004 that he planned to retire at the start of 2007. She plans to name a replacement in the next few weeks.

“He has served the people of this state with honor, distinction and pride for over 30 years,” Rell said in a written statement, adding that his characteristics “should be the hallmark of every law enforcement official.”

The state is awaiting results of a New York State Police review of the Connecticut State Police internal affairs division, but state officials who praised Lynch last week did not mention the review.

“He has given more to the people of this state and the department of public safety than I can possibly recount,” Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle said.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he deeply respects and admires Lynch for leading and inspiring troopers as they place themselves in harm’s way to serve Connecticut’s residents.

“He exemplifies qualities of courage and professionalism and deserves our sincere gratitude,” Blumenthal said.

In a written statement released by the state police, Lynch said the new position is “a wonderful opportunity that I simply cannot pass up,” although leaving state service is difficult.

“My family has sacrificed so that I could pursue my passion for law enforcement; I must do this for them,” he said. “But in my heart, I will always be a Connecticut state trooper. As I’ve said many times, that title means more to me than any other.”