Two of the area’s most distinguished professionals to wear the blue uniform are turning in their badges this summer.

Arnold “Butch” Amthor recently announced his plans to retire as chief of the Town of Montgomery Police Department. Across town, Chief Jeffry Holmes has retired after nearly three decades of service to the Walden Police Department.

During his 35-year career, Amthor has served numerous agencies in Orange County, including Cornwall, New Windsor, the City of Newburgh and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

After retiring from the City of Newburgh, he was called upon to head the Town of Montgomery Police Department at a time when there were calls to consolidate all of the police agencies within the Town of Montgomery. Instead he turned what was basically a part-time agency into a full-time department, handing an expanded workload in a bustling community.

On May 16, 2017, we were reminded that he didn’t spend all of his time behind a desk. Amthor took a bullet in the line of duty that day, responding to a call in the Village of Maybrook with fellow officers. He was fortunate enough to have recovered, but we were left with a chilling reminder of how dangerous police work can be, even in a small town. On Monday it was announced that Amthor would become chief of the City of Newburgh Police Department.

Jeff Holmes plans to stay retired. He was honored Friday in an emotion-filled walkout ceremony, complete with a bagpiper and scores of uniformed police and firefighters on hand. It was a fitting sendoff for someone who has dedicated his life to protecting others. As police chief, he oversaw an expanded department and embraced the challenge in keeping up with the ever-changing technology.

The Newburgh native and Army veteran has worn a Walden Police Badge for most of his adult life, joining the force as a part-timer in 1982. He moved his way up through the ranks, becoming a sergeant and, in 1993, as chief of police. Like his Town of Montgomery counterpart, he often came out from behind a desk to become one of the faces of the village. He could be seen at many events throughout the village, from DARE events in the local schools to lecturing the local historical society on the history of the Walden Police Department. He also gave his time to many other organizations, including the Boy Scouts and the Good Will Fire Department.

Holmes plans to stay close to home in his retirement. He will visit the library and the village offices (“to pay my taxes”) and will continue to serve as a fire instructor and volunteer at the West Point Museum.

Both police veterans will leave behind a legacy of dedicated police work and community service.