FROM BLUFFTON ICON - Two Bluffton persons with Ada connections were recognized this month by the Bluffton police department.

The two are retired Bluffton police chiefs, Rick Skilliter, husband of Ada school superintendent, Meri Skilliter, and the late William Gaiffe, whose daughter is Pat Wyss, and grandsons are Todd Wyss and Sam Kragalott of Ada.

Skilliter and Gaiffe are the first inductees to a Wall of Honor, recognizing retired Bluffton police officers.

Bluffton police chief Chief Ryan Burkholder read the following about the two 2019 inductees:

William N. Gaiffe
William Gaiffe joined the police department in February of 1953. He served as the chief of police, street commissioner, refuse collection, supervisor, cemetery sexton and was also known as Bluffton’s most colorful communicator.

Chief Gaiffe reflected on public service, “I love my town and all the people in it,” a quote from the Bluffton News. He served as chief of police until the Dec. 31, 1973, when he retired after 17 ½ years of service to the Village of Bluffton.

Richard A. Skilliter
Richard A. Skilliter joined the department on Sept. 5, 1989, as a full-time officer. He served in that capacity until being promoted to sergeant on March 26, 1996.

Skilliter performed the duties of sergeant until he was promoted to chief of police on March 13, 2006.

He served as chief of police until the Sept. 22, 2016, when he retired after a 27-year career with the department. His badge, Unit 31, was retired at the event.