WESTFIELD- The Police Commission will vote Nov. 12 to introduce a newly appointed commissioner after the retirement of Commission Chair Karl Hupfer.
Richard Sypek was selected by former Mayor Brian P. Sullivan as the next appointment to fill Hupfer’s spot on the three-person commission. Sullivan said that Sypek is an attorney that has lived in and worked in Westfield for a long time.
“I’ve known him for years. I knew him to be a highly respected attorney and someone with a great drive,” said Sullivan, “We’ve discussed others spots for him in the past and when this opening came up I thought he would be the perfect fit for the Police Commission.”
Sullivan noted that Sypek’s law background would be an asset to the commission.
Following the vote to confirm Sypek by Commissioners Leonard Osowski and Felix Otero, they will vote to select a new Police Commission Chair.
Shortly after Hupfer’s announced retirement last month, Sullivan said that there would be a recognition ceremony in which he would present a plaque honoring Hupfer for his decades of service to the Westfield Police Department. When Sullivan planned this, he was intending to finish out his term as mayor that ends in January. Sullivan has since accepted a job with the Baker administration. His last day as mayor was Nov. 8.
Sullivan said he would make every effort to be there but that he was not making any promises. Should be be unable to attend, Acting Mayor and City Council President Ralph J. Figy will present the plaque.
Hupfer was a police commissioner for 25 years before he retired last month. He cited recent health problems as reason for his retirement.
“Dear Mayor Sullivan, this letter is to inform you that I am regretfully resigning from my position as Police Commissioner in the City of Westfield Police Department. Unfortunately, health problems have restricted my activities for the foreseeable future. I will forever be indebted to this city for giving me the opportunity to serve in this position for the last 25 years,” said Hupfer’s retirement letter. “I would like thank past Mayor Richard Sullivan for my original appointment in 1994, and all the mayors since who have continued to trust and have faith in my critical position. I would also like to thank the City Councilors, without them, the trust and faith in me would not have been possible. My past career enabled me to work with local police departments throughout the Commonwealth for many years. Having this experience, I can say that certainly, the Westfield Police Department is second to none in their professionalism. Thank you again for the past 25 years of service in the Westfield Police Department.”
Before being a member of the Police Commission, Hupfer was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and then a Major in the Massachusetts State Police.
“He’s got an interesting life,” said Police Chief Lawrence Valliere, “This guy has been around the block.”
