By Paula Scott
The Village of Ada hosted a retirement celebration for Chief Michael Harnishfeger, who has led the Ada Police Department for 22 years; his full career in law enforcement has spanned 39 years. Friends, family and colleagues attended the event which included a proclamation by Mayor David Reterrer declaring June 22, 2023 Michael Harnishfeger Day in the Village of Ada.
Guests gathered at the Depot, which was decorated with memorabilia from Harnishfeger’s career in Ft. Shawnee, Russell’s Point and Ada. A quilt made by the chief’s daughter was displayed on the wall, depicting the silhouette of a police officer surrounded by badges and stars. A large cake featured the patch worn by Ada Police officers.
Presentations made following the luncheon highlighted several important chapters in Harnishfeger’s career. He has been a strong advocate for the training of officers and police chiefs. He graduated from Police Executive Leadership College in 1996, became a Certified Law Enforcement Executive in 2001, graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2008, and from the Rural Executive Management Institute in 2011.
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Harnishfeger served as president of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police from October, 2010 to September, 2011. In this role, he advocated for mandated training for any new police chief, which became law in 2017.
As the Ada Police Chief, Harnishfeger created and implemented the S.A.F.E.R. (Seeking Aid From Every Resident) program, which was recognized with an Ohio Crime Prevention Award for Community Policing Initiatives in 2002 and earned a 2003 Ohio Crime Previon’s Community Policing Strategy Award. The program includes a committee of community members, alerts, awards and children's safety programs.
Harnishfeger’s son and daughter, Joshua and Lori, made speeches that had their father laughing at times, and wiping away tears at others. They emphasized the importance of faith in his life and work, and how he emphasized treating everyone with kindness and respect.
Mayor David Retterer told those assembled that he and Harnishfeger had “laughed together and groaned together about things that have happened in this town and elsewhere.” He then proclaimed, “that Chief Michael Harnishfeger has been an excellent Chief of Police for Ada” and named the day in his honor.
The speeches were almost done when Harnishfeger thanked the guests and said, “39 years of law enforcement has been a wonderful, wonderful career. I love 99.9% of it.” He first recognized Jesus Christ as the one he called to for the safety of officers and to help him catch the bad guys. He then thanked his wife Barb and their children, remembering the times he left home knowing the dangers he was rushing to face and wondering, what must his family be thinking?
He also thanked the officers that he has served with, noting that it was Ft. Shawnee Chief Gene Sharp who was the first to swear him in, as well as Mayor Retterer, the council and the village staff.
For Harnishfeger’s law enforcement colleagues who were on duty that day, Emily Roy, communications coordinator for the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and former Ada dispatcher, made an announcement heard over police radios in the room: “Chief Michael Harnishfeger has patrolled his last street as the chief of the Ada Police Department. Chief Harnishfeger has been the longest serving police chief of Ada Police Department in its 152 year history, serving as chief for 22 of his 39 years in law enforcement. Chief Harnishfeger, thank you for your years of service to the citizens of Ada and thank you for making Ada a safer community to live in. Congratulations on your retirement.”
In keeping with his emphasis on training, Harnishfeger has now completed a six month transitional period with incoming Chief Alec Cooper, who has prior experience working for Harnishfeger in Ada. But Harnishfeger has not completely retired. He recently signed a one- year contract to continue as Zoning Inspector for the Village of Ada.
