MANSFIELD — Serving on the Mansfield Fire Department was the best career Captain Dan Feldman could have hoped for, he said.
“It’s been a privilege to serve for all these years,” he said. “I certainly will miss it.”
Feldman retired from the Mansfield Fire Department on Feb. 12 after more than 34 years of service. He joined the department on June 12, 1984 and was promoted to captain on April 29, 1999.
During his career, he received multiple nominations for Firefighter and EMT of the Year and was awarded EMT of the Year in 2008. He was a charter member of the Honor Guard and faithfully participated for over 25 years.
City council took time to honor Feldman for his many years of service during its regular meeting Tuesday.
Council also recognized Detective Frank Parrella, who retired from the Mansfield Division of Police on Feb. 19 after more than 29 years of service. He was the longest serving detective in the Detective Section.
Parrella began his law enforcement career Feb. 18, 1989. Prior to his appointment to the department, he served in Vietnam from March 1969 until October 1970 with the U.S. Army. Upon Honorable Discharge, he returned to work at Tappan until joining the police department where he was assigned to the Patrol Bureau. During his time in patrol, he served as a field training officer.
He transferred to the Detective Bureau’s Major Crimes Section in 1995 and worked or assisted in solving numerous homicides. One homicide case involved the arrest of three suspects from Atlanta, Georgia who are now serving life sentences for the 1999 homicide at Papa Johnny’s Drive Thru.
He has received numerous Special Commendation awards, letters of recognition and letters of appreciation from citizens and fellow law enforcement personnel.
“You’re just invaluable and I think you taught me and many of the officers very much,” said Safety-Service Director Lori Cope.
Assistant Police Chief Keith Porch said Parrella did a phenomenal job and served the city well. He said he was compassionate with victims of crime and was a “bulldog chasing down offenders.”
“With 23 years of experience in the Detective Bureau, we are truly losing an asset within the division of police,” Porch said.
Parrella was thankful for the opportunity to serve.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I have done for the last 29 years,” he said. “It’s been an honor. The greatest people in the world to work with here, and I’m certainly going to miss everybody.”
Asked if he has any advice for the city, he said, “Keep up the good work. The police department is short on personnel, so hopefully you can get some people hired in there to keep our guys safe.”
