The towns of Temple and Greenville gave farewells to their joint Police Chief, Jim McTague Friday evening, in a retirement party celebrating McTague’s 35 years of service.
McTague has headed the Temple-Greenville Police Department since its formation. He was already serving as Temple’s police chief in 2004 when Greenville voted to dissolve its own department and approached Temple about combining services. Shared costs and Temple’s need for a permanent police station led to the departments merging in 2005, a partnership that remains in place today.
“I think he’s a great police chief. He’s handled the job real well, and taken care of everybody. Everybody loves him,” said Temple Selectman George Willard, during McTague’s retirement party, held Friday evening in the Temple Town Hall.
“Thank you, Chief, for your 35 years of service to the town of Temple,” said Selectman Ken Caisse.
Caisse said the town was lucky to have officers with such longevity within the department.
“He knows everybody, he knows everywhere,” Caisse said of McTague. “You couldn’t get anybody better to do the job.”
“The times I’ve had interactions with him have always been great. Great advice — funny advice,” said Fire Chief George Clark. “He was always in a good mood, never in a bad mood.”
As McTague steps down, his second-in-command, Sgt. Michael Needham, has been appointed as the interim police chief, with plans for the towns to make him a formal offer for the permanent position.
“He’s a great guy. I love working for him, and I’m happy for him. Wish he wasn’t leaving us, but he deserves his retirement,” said Needham, who has served his entire 22-year career under McTague.