Marblehead police lieutenant retires

MARBLEHEAD – Police Lt. David Millett, 61, a 36-year Marblehead police officer with 28 years as a lieutenant, called it a career this month.He leaves behind memories of an officer who could turn on a puckish sense of humor when needed, who enjoyed attending Christmas Walk fairs at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church to greet fair-goers in a tuxedo and who cared passionately about local traffic, his Navy experiences and the town where he grew up to be a police officer.In a public letter, Millett cautioned townspeople who meet him in his new retired status.?I have done all I can do and said all I can say. Just let me enjoy the pleasure of your company.”Nearly two years ago Millett was the first police lieutenant interviewed when the selectmen chose a police chief, and although the job went to Robert Picariello, Millett, who finished second to Picariello on the Civil Service exam, earned some approval with his interview answers.Why did he want to be chief? After 34 years with the department – the first seven of them walking a beat downtown, in an area where young people congregated – “I want to turn some of the negatives into positives and enhance the positives.”Millett, who did a monthly show on local cable in which he taught grade school children about safety in “Officer Dave?s Safety Club,” said he wanted to emphasize community policing and work with the schools to educate children about helping police.He was also the town?s first certified crime prevention officer, he chaired a Vandalism Task Force and started the town?s Neighborhood Watch, Harbor Watch and Victim Witness programs, as well as handling public relations and traffic issues.He was a strong supporter of Picariello?s “Stop-a-Cop” program, which invites members of the community to “stop a cop” on the beat, make introductions and share information.Millett still plans to volunteer at the Police Museum in the Old Town House.His name stirs memories for many in town. For example, former cable TV Programming Director Joan Goloboy once recalled how her 9-year-old son was afraid to cross Maple Street until Millett made time to meet the boy, teach him how pedestrian lights worked and how to cross that street.That?s why she chose Millett to do a safety show on TV.Perhaps that moment exemplifies the impact Millett had on his community. Instead of working with teachers to reach children, Millett, who has a degree in sociology, taught the children and let them educate their parents.