Chimenti retires from PD after more than 40 years of service

Earlier this month, Police Chief Steven Shay announced before the Town Council that Sergeant Mike Chimenti was bidding farewell to law enforcement. As of Monday, Chimenti is officially off-duty, having tendered his resignation. This June would have marked his 42nd year.

Shay said there is no doubt Chimenti dedicated his life to the department and to law enforcement in general for the town and the county. ""He stepped up to bat," Shay said, and did what was needed.

Though Shay offered, Chimenti requested no fanfare, formal celebration or cake for his retirement. Shay noted the sergeant is content with the services he's rendered for the community.

Chimenti said he really started with the Thermopolis Police in June of 1974, though he had previously guarded First National Bank, which is now Pinnacle. He worked under John Lumley Sr. until 1979. Walt Harvey was elected Sheriff in January of the same year, and Chimenti worked under him until December, when he returned to the police side.

Chimenti noted he enjoyed having more contact with people as a member of the police department, as well as working in town. And so it was with Thermopolis PD that he remained, at least until Monday.

The best job he had with the department was when he was the school resource officer, he said, as he loved working with the kids, befriending them and showing them another side to law enforcement.

Chimenti loved what he did as a policeman, and knew before he graduated high school in Dubois that he was going to live in Thermopolis. He noted he came here plenty as a kid for the rodeos and to swim. He also met his wife, Janet, here. Though she is now a school nurse, when they met she worked for Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital.

Looking at his retirement years, Chimenti said he loves to fly fish, but hasn't been able to lately; he already has a couple trips in mind to friends in Montana and Idaho to catch a few.

He would also like to get more active in his church - the Community Church - and do things he couldn't because of shift work.

One thing for sure is he plans to continue calling Thermopolis home. "The community's been good to me," Chimenti said, "and I'm not done giving back to the community."

He further expressed his appreciation to Thermopolis and Hot Springs County "for allowing me to serve them for the past 42 years. My service to them is not over because of my retirement."