Retired Southwick Police Chief Henry LaBombard passed away on Feb. 27. (Photo courtesy of Southwick Police Department’s Facebook Page)
SOUTHWICK – The community of Southwick lost a fondly remembered emergency services individual early this past Monday morning. Henry LaBombard, a former Southwick Police Chief, passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Serving as the Chief of Police from 1990 until 2004, LaBombard spent many years with the department. Given the nickname, “Bomber,” LaBombard started his career at the Southwick Police Department in 1968 and in 1976, he was promoted to Sergeant.
Prior to joining the police department, “Bomber” served as a K-9 handler for the United States Army from 1964 to 1967. LaBombard also spent time as an officer for the Hartford Police Department and was also a Vietnam Veteran.
With 34 years of serving the community he grew up in, LaBombard will be missed by many, including those in the department who said “Bomber” has impacted them greatly.
“I always thank him for giving me the opportunity to come back,” said Southwick Police Lt. Kevin Bishop.
Bishop briefly left the police department from 1987 to 1990, but once LaBombard became Chief in 1990, he shared his ideas with Bishop and encouraged him to come back to the department.
Bishop also remembers the kind of person LaBombard was off duty as he recounts going to a number of Indianapolis 500 races and doing some white water rafting with LaBombard.
“More than a boss, he was a friend,” said Bishop.
The Southwick Police Department updated their sign this week in honor of Chief LaBombard. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The current Chief, David Ricardi, couldn’t thank LaBombard enough for the influence he had on him.
“I am proud to say that Chief LaBombard was instrumental in mentoring me early on in my career with the Southwick Police Department,” said Ricardi. “It was his direction that helped me reach my ultimate career goal.”
Sue Anderson, an Administrative Secretary for the Southwick Police Department, began her position at the same time LaBombard became Chief.
“He was a fair Chief, he was a teaching Chief,” said Anderson. “He loved this department, he loved his town, and he loved his country.”
Just a year after LaBombard joined the department, Bob Laughlin came onto the force in 1969.
You couldn’t ask for a better leader,” said Laughlin. “He was a great Chief.”
Loughlin also noted that “Bomber’s” commitment to his men was second to none.
“If you were in trouble, Henry was coming,” said Loughlin.
A former safety officer for the police department and now a Sergeant, Kirk Sanders remembers the impact LaBombard had on him earlier in his career. Sanders said that “Bomber” was known as the “founding father of community policing” when he was the Chief.
Sanders said that the Southwick Police Department got into the schools in the late 1980’s, and once LaBombard became Chief, it certainly continued.
“He was a big believer in that,” said Sanders.
LaBombard was also responsible for helping put computers into police cruisers, adding a detective unit and K-9 unit.
Former Selectman in town, John Zanoli, grew up in Southwick with LaBombard and remembers working with LaBombard to create a new Southwick Police patch.
“Bomber was a great guy,” said Zanoli. “I call him a great friend of mine.”
A current member of the Select Board, Russ Fox, was fortunate enough to work with LaBombard. Fox joined the Select Board in the 1980’s, and was part of the search that ultimately chose “Bomber” as the Chief of Police in 1990.
Fox said, at the time, it was a no-brainer to be in favor of giving LaBombard the Chief’s position.
“Henry knew the town, he knew the men,” said Fox. “That was the determining factor.”
There are no services planned for LaBombard. His wish was to have his body donated to science to help solve a cure for Alzheimer’s.
