LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chief David Dalton upon the occasion of
his retirement from the Palmyra Police Department after 45 years of
distinguished service to the residents of Wayne County

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote themselves 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, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Chief David
Dalton upon the occasion of his retirement from the Palmyra Police
Department after 45 years of distinguished service to the residents of
Wayne County; he will be celebrated at a retirement party on Sunday, May
18, 2014, at the Palmyra VFW Post, Palmyra, New York; and
WHEREAS, A 1961 graduate of Wayne Central School, Chief David Dalton
began his distinguished law enforcement career in 1969 as a member of
the Wayne County Sheriff's Department; during his 12 years with the
Department he made a positive impact, working as Road Patrol, First
Undercover Officer and then Sergeant, and founding the Wayne County
Sheriff's Dive Team; and
WHEREAS, In 1981 he joined the Palmyra Police Department as Deputy
Chief; he assumed the role of Chief in 1988, and has served the resi-
dents of Palmyra with honor and integrity throughout the 33 years of his
productive tenure; and
WHEREAS, Under Chief David Dalton's exemplary leadership, the Village
of Palmyra has become a safer and more pleasant community; a locale in
which crime had once run rampant, in 1993/1994 the Village was noted as
solving 94% of its cases, one of the highest rates of crime-solving in
the nation; moreover, as of 2013/2014, the Palmyra Police Department had
the lowest crime rate in Wayne County; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated public servant's exceptional skill in working
with people from all walks of life has earned him the respect, admira-
tion, and trust of young offenders, vandals, parents of troubled chil-
dren, and crime victims alike; he is renowned for knowing the names of
community members, and treating everyone with respect; and
WHEREAS, Chief David Dalton is a talented law enforcement officer who
is a Training Instructor at the Ontario County Training Facility, and an
expert in trial court testimony; he has worked closely with judges and
District Attorneys, who have been able to rely on his knowledge and
proficiency; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Chief David Dalton is an effective administra-
tor, managing his staff with sensitivity while maintaining the highest
standards of professionalism, and using his budgeting and grants exper-
tise to both run an efficient office and secure needed funding for the
Police Department's needs; and
WHEREAS, Chief David Dalton's commitment to his community extends
beyond the Police Department; he is a founding member of the Town of
Ontario Volunteer Ambulance, a supporter of Pal-Mac Soccer, Swimming and
Lacrosse, and has received recognition for his work with Historic Palmy-
ra; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of nearly 25 years,
Lori Dillon Dalton; his children, Michelle, Elizabeth, Mary, Michael,
and Justin; and his grandchildren, Kelly, Keating, Jamison, and Brooks,

all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated
public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
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 Chief David Dalton upon the occasion of his retirement from the
Palmyra Police Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chief David Dalton.