Bainbridge marshal honors retiring reserve officer

With 11 years of service under her belt, retiring Reserve Officer Denna DeLaCruz accepts a plaque from Bainbridge Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick. Bearing the logos of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and the Bainbridge Police Department, the award honors DeLaCruz for her years of volunteer service to both departments.

BAINBRIDGE -- After more than a decade of service, a longtime reserve police officer is leaving her post.

On Thursday, Bainbridge Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick presented Reserve Officer Denna DeLaCruz with a plaque for 11 years of service.

Over the years, DeLaCruz has volunteered her service to the Bainbridge Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Heritage Lake security.

Fenwick praised DeLaCruz, saying he fears that volunteers like her are a dying breed.

"The heart of a volunteer is one of the mainstays of our country," Fenwick said. "From the beginning of this country, most of our military, our firefighters and a lot of police for many years, were volunteers. In our day and age, a lot of people feel they don't have time to volunteer."

Turning his attention to DeLaCruz, the marshal was effusive in his praise.

"This is a person who has set a standard of dedication that we need in our police and fire departments," Fenwick said. "I'm afraid it's a dying art.

"We are very sorry to see Denna go. She has made a big difference in our department."

For her part, DeLaCruz had kind words for the community, the local police and Fenwick in particular.

"I loved serving the community and love working with the people of all the different police departments," DeLaCruz said. "Thanks to Rodney for being such a great boss and mentor and allowing me to work with him because when I was injured in the line of duty, I had to leave the sheriff's department.

"Rodney took me in and said 'Hey, come work with me.' It's been awesome."

DeLaCruz is retiring as a reserve because she is moving out of the area.