PORTLAND (AP) – Joining political heavyweights and police colleagues at Michael Chitwood’s farewell party was a former Portland resident who may have been the first person arrested in the city by the longtime chief.

“He actually picked me up and carried me to the paddy wagon,” said David Turner, 56, recalling how he was flat on his back in the path of a bulldozer to protest a building demolition when Chitwood made his presence known.

“I think I was the first person in Portland he arrested,” said Turner, who now lives in Montreal and Sarasota, Fla.

He said he happened to be passing through Maine this week, saw a poster advertising a going-away party for Chitwood and couldn’t resist showing up for the Wednesday night send-off.

Back to Pennsylvania

After 17 years as chief in Maine’s largest city, Chitwood, 61, was leaving Thursday to begin his new duties as head of the department in Upper Darby, Pa., just outside his native Philadelphia.

Like so many others, Turner wanted to say goodbye.

“I was always very impressed by him,” Turner said. “We used to have these little neighborhood meetings, and he would show up.”

Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen and a host of city and police officials attended the farewell event at a downtown hotel that honored and roasted the man with the longest tenure as police chief in the city’s history.

Mike Chitwood Jr., police chief in Shawnee, Okla., flew in Tuesday and spent the day with his parents in Portland.

Wasn’t easy to do

“I know that (leaving Portland) was not an easy decision for him to make,” the younger Chitwood said. “Whoever gets the job in Portland comes to a great department.”

The party included food, a three-piece band, an honor guard, a slide show, a video presentation and several speeches.

A full-color invitation featured a picture of Chitwood – who has been compared to the Clint Eastwood character Dirty Harry – with the words, “Go ahead. Make his day.”

“I work with the best men and women in police work anywhere in the country,” Chitwood said. “I just want to say thank you, I love you, and I’ll miss you.”

Deputy Chief Tim Burton has been named Portland’s interim chief and will head the 220-member department until a permanent successor is named.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com