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Post by bobbbiez on Oct 15, 2010 11:11:08 GMT -5
 Former Poice Chief Benny Rotundo has gone to meet his maker. Whether you loved him or hated him he still served the city of Utica for 46 years. That devotion alone deserves the respect given to him. My sympathy goes out to Benny's family, friends and all his brothers and sisters in blue. RIP, Benny and thank you for all those years of service. 
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Post by corner on Oct 18, 2010 18:44:52 GMT -5
he had the best plan to handle the violence in corn hill he always said to his men patrol around it and not in it keep it contained and cornhill will handle itself.
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Post by Clipper on Oct 18, 2010 19:05:26 GMT -5
There is a short video on the OD homepage of his funeral service. He was a well liked chief, and must have been a damn good chief to survive 6 different administrations without being canned by some political nitwit like Hanna. Hanna suspended him once I guess, but even Hanna was smart enough not to fire him. The whole darn department would have been down Hanna's throat.
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Post by bobbbiez on Oct 18, 2010 23:34:56 GMT -5
Clipper, Benny was a damn good Chief. He had his ways but he was always fair to the men under him. I was around him quite a bit cause Benny's son is my best friend TR's son-in-law. Always enjoyed his sense of humor. We got along great because of our joint love for horses.  One thing is fact. Under his command Utica was once ranked the fifth safest place to live. That alone, besides devoting over 40 years as a cop, tells ya he did a great job for the people of Utica whether they liked him or not.  Benny truly deserves the respect and praise he is being given. He earned it.
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Post by Clipper on Oct 20, 2010 11:59:35 GMT -5
The last time I saw Benny Rotundo was at Chris's wedding reception at the Chesterfield.
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Post by oldnewhartfordboy on Dec 15, 2010 17:49:19 GMT -5
Benny Rotundo was a very respected man. The story about Hanna occurred when Hanna was caught trying to break into Benny's files to remove some possible incriminating files about his son Paul. Benny caught him. Hanna went nuts (?!) and tried to fire him. In the long run it was hushed up and Benny returned to his job. -Thankfully. I guess it's all water over the dam now. All three are gone now.
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Post by Clipper on Dec 15, 2010 17:58:13 GMT -5
Paul Hanna had his problems, as did Eddie Hanna. As you said oldnewhartfordboy, all of them are gone now, and who are we to judge. Bennie Rotundo WAS the best police chief that the city has ever known.
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Post by JGRobinson on Mar 27, 2011 6:49:46 GMT -5
Benny was the man forever. I've heard stories that would make you proud, cry, laugh and even angry. I will say he was Frugal! He bought an old Motorola works in the drawer 23" for his den 25 years ago from us when I was at NHTV (it was already 15 years old then)! It had issues over the years and I fixed it 5 times in his den "Under Warranty" over the next 6 years! He had a crap load of holsters with Pistol-as hanging from the ceiling! He was always nice to me, just never wanted to pay...
I heard some stories from some of the guys in the Armory about his time in the National Guard, MP unit, abit before my time there. Those I will save for later...
Rest in Piece Benny, job well done Sir!
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Former Poice Chief Benny Rotundo has gone to meet his maker. Whether you loved him or hated him he still served the city of Utica for 46 years. That devotion alone deserves the respect given to him. 
