Waterford – Longtime Police Chief Murray J. Pendleton announced his impending retirement Monday, saying that after nearly 48 years with the department it was time to move on to the next phase of his life.

Pendleton, 70, said he will officially notify the Board of Police Commissioners at a May 11 meeting and plans to depart tentatively by the end of May, at which time he will use several months of accumulated leave time.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have been police chief for some 23 years,” Pendleton said. “We’re in good shape. I think to be able to leave when the department is at the top of its game, with quality people behind you, it’s the best way to go.”

Pendleton said the department is in the capable hands of three qualified lieutenants, part of a team concept he introduced. Lieutenants are the highest ranking officers at the department under the chief.

Lt. Brett Mahoney said Murray’s departure will be a “monumental change,” considering the entire department has known only Pendleton as their chief.

“I’ve been there 20 years and he’s been responsible for hiring every single officer I’ve worked with over the years and every promotion since I’ve been there,” Mahoney said.

“He’s always been fair and pushed us to look towards new ideas all of the time,” Mahoney said. “I think he’s been a very good chief.”

Raised in Old Lyme, Pendleton started with the department in 1967 when he said the police headquarters was located in the basement of the old Town Hall. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Pendleton jumped from the rank of sergeant to become deputy chief in 1984. After serving time as acting chief he was officially appointed chief in 1992 following the retirement of former Chief William E. McGuire. He has accumulated numerous commendations and awards throughout his career.

Pendleton had previously served as a police officer in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard and for a short period as a constable patrolling the Sound View section of Old Lyme.

He said he never imagined staying in Waterford for so long but grew to love the community and the people in it. Despite the fact the department has not grown in size since the 1980s, Pendleton said the town had always been fair during the budgeting process and allowed the department to maintain its services.

Pendleton, who also serves as emergency management director and harbormaster, let the community know about his decision to retire on a Facebook posting Monday where he mentions his newly purchased home in Florida. He said he plans to spend more time with his family, which includes two grandchildren.

Pendleton said he would also be working with his department to ease the transition and hopes the police commission would appoint an acting chief during his absence.

When asked about memorable moments at the department the first thing Pendleton said he thought of was Madeline Guarraia, a young girl from East Lyme who is battling cancer. The girl’s parents are teachers in Waterford.

After learning about her love for police officers, the department recently arranged to have her sworn in as an honorary officer, meet the police K9 teams, tour a state police helicopter and ride with an East Lyme police officer aboard a regional patrol boat.

He said the event spoke to the commitment of the police department to the community.

“Our officers on their own time planned out a day for this girl that would bring tears to your eyes,” Pendleton said. “They brought some joy to this young lady.”

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay