Saugus Police sergeant retires after 38 years

SAUGUS – “It takes less energy to be happy and kind than to be angry and mean.”That was the sentiment Sgt. Alan Erickson, a 38-year veteran of the Saugus Police Department, held at his retirement celebration Friday.For 17 years, Erickson served as department prosecutor and liaison to the Essex County District Attorney?s Office. He received numerous letters of commendation for his acts of courage, dedication and professionalism, as well as being actively involved with the Saugus Police Athletic League (PAL), where, he said, he raised more children who weren?t his own.?First, I want to thank everyone who I?ve worked with through the years,” Erickson said. “You?ve become like family. I want to thank my family, who has been supportive through everything, especially with working overnight and details during my earlier years.”He joked that working Kowloon Restaurant details were actually a night out.Erickson?s children are now married with a families of their own. Friday, he talked about sacrificing for the line of duty – including, but not limited to, missing some of their softball games.But the reward came when citizens told him he had changed their lives. Also, he said, the kindness he received after an on-duty car accident in 1984, where he lost control of the vehicle on black ice, did not go unnoticed.?I?ve been here for 38 years, and I have no regrets,” he said. “The Saugus Police Department has been good to me. It goes beyond friendship.”Erickson said the key to respect is treating officers how one wishes to be treated. He joked that although Chief Domenic J. DiMella didn?t like it, he would often send an officer home early on Sunday when it was slow, but DiMella can?t do anything about it, now.He said he compiled bullet points at his daughter Kaitlyn?s request 10 minutes before the ceremony while she was on her way back from buying a car.?It was really nice to hear Conservation Officer (Frank) McKinnon offer a happy retirement this morning,” Erickson said. “It meant a lot. Finally, I want to state my feelings: ?It takes less energy to be nice than it does to be mean.? Again, I want to thank everyone for their support over the years. I?ll never forget.”DiMella said Erickson?s career deserves to be recognized, and the department presented him with a retired sergeant plaque.?I have worked with him for over 25 years,” DiMella said after the ceremony. “He?s an excellent patrolman, sergeant and prosecutor who is well-respected in this department. The Saugus Police Department will definitely miss his presence.”Sergeant Frederick Forni was chosen to replace Erickson, and said he has big shoes to fill.?I feel that he has done an excellent job representing the Saugus Police Department at Lynn District Court over the past 17 years,” Forni said after the ceremony. “There have only been two court prosecutors representing the police department over the past 25 years, so this opportunity doesn?t become available often. Alan has been a great role model to me helping me make this transition a smooth one. It?s an honor and a privilege that the chief has afforded this opportunity to me.”Forni is a third-generation police officer. He said some common duties as sergeant are to review and sign all criminal complaints from the department that are sent to court and to oversee all bail hearings as well as criminal probable cause hearings and the scheduling of officers to court.