LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Police Chief William C. Blythe upon the
occasion of his retirement after 37 years of distinguished service to
the Warsaw Police Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote them-
selves to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in
providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities
and this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Police Chief William C. Blythe upon the occasion of his retirement after
37 years of distinguished service to the Warsaw Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Perry, New York, the son of Skip and Marie Blythe,
William graduated from Perry High School in 1970; and
WHEREAS, An active member of his community, William C. Blythe was a
member of the Perry Fire Department, and served as Assistant Scout
Master for Boys Scouts of America Troop 45; and
WHEREAS, Originally set out to become a New York State Corrections
Officer, William C. Blythe began working as a laborer for New York State
Department of Transportation in 1976, and worked during the famous
"Blizzard of 77"; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1977, William C. Blythe became a member of the
Warsaw Police Department; after graduating from the Police Academy, he
was appointed Night Supervisor serving from August of 1978 until June of
1979, and served as Acting Chief of Police from June 1979 until November
of 1979; and
WHEREAS, William C. Blythe rose through the ranks receiving permanent
appointment as Sergeant in July of 1981; in 1987, he received permanent
appointment as Assistant Chief of Police, and gained the prestigious
rank as Chief of Police in March of 1991; and
WHEREAS, As Chief, William C. Blythe paid close attention to detail,
presentation, and ethics, which directly affected his department's ster-
ling performance; he firmly believed in traditional community policing,
in which officers know and interact with their neighborhoods, and the
people of the Warsaw community; and
WHEREAS, Chief William C. Blythe served as a member of numerous
committees including the Sexual Assault Review Team (SART), and provided
help to Wyoming County to develop a County Wide Domestic Violence Proto-
col; he also led several police related training courses, and served as
a member of the Warsaw School Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, A certified Police Firearms Instructor since 1981, William C.
Blythe continues to help train hundreds of new Police Officers in
firearms safety; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 25 years, Linda Ott
Blythe, and their three children, as well as four grandchildren, all of
whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, William C. Blythe rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the Warsaw Police Department,
earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, William C. Blythe was governed by a
keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems;
and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those dedi-
cated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preser-
vation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full
praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Police Chief William C. Blythe upon the occasion of his retirement
after 37 years of distinguished service to the Warsaw Police Department;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Police Chief William C. Blythe.