Hulmeville Police Chief Retires After Three Decades Of Service

Hulmeville Borough Police Chief Thomas Walton said he’s looking forward to collecting his pension.

Walton, who spoke in front of dozens Monday night at his retirement ceremony, had nothing but positive things to say about his 32 years spent as an officer.

“I don’t want to leave, I hate to leave, but it’s time to put the old horse out to pasture,” he joked.

Walton, who has served the borough as chief since 2004, was greeted with a chief’s badge, an honor by the Hulmeville Historical Society and honors on behalf of the State’s Senate and House of Representatives.

Senator Tommy Tomlinson, who grew up with Walton, joked he remembered being beat up by him as a kid. The two shared a lasting hug following Walton’s ceremony.

State Representatives Frank Farry and Tina Davis, in addition to Langhorne Police Chief Steve Mawhinney and Middletown Police Chief Joe Bartorilla were also in attendance. While Mawhinney remarked fond memories of attending the Temple Municipal Police Academy with Walton over 30 years ago, Bartorilla said he was first meeting Walton at his retirement ceremony.

“I just hope I will have as long and distinguished a career as Tom,” he said to the crowd.

Following the ceremony of Walton’s three decades of service, the borough swore in it’s next chief. Sgt. Robert Juno was sworn in with the help of Mayor David Harris and his wife.

Juno, according to council meeting minutes, will be paid $21.50 per hour and is scheduled to work 70 hours a month. Walton was salaried, but the council agreed to move to an hourly rate for the new chief.

Juno, who retired after 25 years with the Bensalem Police Department, joined the police force in Hulmeville in 2010. Juno has nearly four decades of combined police and military experience.