It is with deep sadness that I write this letter. I just learned of the passing of John Salerno.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell the community a little something of my years of knowing and working with and for John Salerno.

I was a new police officer in Port Washington back in 1966 and one of the first men I met was fellow police officer John Salerno. I relieved him on Main Street for my very first tour of duty as a Port Washington police officer. It was a midnight shift and I was very apprehensive and nervous. Most guys would pass on information at relief time and head home. John was a little different and stayed with me for over an hour explaining certain things that he felt I should be aware of. When he left, I felt more comfortable with the task at hand. I never forgot that!

As the years passed and John was promoted to sergeant, I was assigned to his first squad as a supervisor. I will never forget the time he called the squad together and stated some of his priorities for the squad to follow. He told us that a supervisor is only as good as the officers working for him and that when it was time to work we would all work and when it was time to relax we would all relax. The people in the squad at that time really took to him as a fair and just supervisor. When someone did something wrong he would deal with the situation and keep everything within the squad. Other supervisors felt that every misdeed had to be reported to the chief, not John. If it was within his scope of authority, he would handle it. And he did just that!

John really cared about his community and the people in it. There were many times that he stuck his neck out to arbitrate a situation rather than make an arrest. I know many in the community that benefited from his decisions. When promoted to Lieutenant, John didn't change. I was fortunate to also work for him after this promotion. He stuck up for his men and treated all with respect. If you needed to talk in confidence you knew what was said to him stayed with him. I and another officer worked on an investigation with him and it was very sensitive. During the course of the investigation many things transpired and everything was kept where it belonged. John was a professional in every sense of the word. Many times he risked the wrath of other supervisors but his integrity sustained.

John was also an avid hunter and conservationist, wildlife artist, taxidermist and a rescuer of wild animals. One time he captured an injured owl and I watched him do everything in his power to save that little guy and return him to the wild. Alas, it was not to be but it was not for lack of effort on John's part. He so loved the outdoors and the woods of Maine that we finally gave him a nickname which stuck. We called him Lt. Grizzly Adams or Grizz for short.

When I went though a very difficult period in my life the then Chief Donohue and particularly John and his family helped me get through the pain and anguish. I will never forget our trip to the Maine woods and the Christmas Eve dinner at John's home. John was never one to look for praise or pats on the back, he was just a human being who loved life and the people in it. He made me feel special just knowing him and the way he would go out of his way to try to make a bad situation better. Although we have not been in touch for a while I will never forget the kindness and sincere outpouring of love for another human being that I found in John Salerno and his family.

The people of Port Washington have lost one of their finest sons and the police department is a better place for John having been one of its officers.

Barbara, Darryl, Gary, and Michael, you lost a loving husband and father but knowing John he is still with you in spirit.

I will always cherish my memories and will be eternally grateful for being in the same place and time as Lt. John "Grizzly Adams" Salerno. Rest in peace my friend.

Frederick B. May

Retired, Port Washington Police