Holley chief resigns after 7½ years leading Police Department

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – William Murphy on Sunday submitted his letter of resignation, effective Sept. 1, as chief for the Holley Police Department. Murphy has been the lone full-time officer in the department that includes 10 part-time officers.

Murphy said he wanted to continue as police chief. But he resigned following a decision on the Village Board not to seek a pay waiver for his retirement.

Murphy was retired from the Greece Police Department when he joined Holley as chief 7 ½ years ago. The Village Board needed to seek a waiver from the State Comptroller’s Office for Murphy twice a year because he was paid over the $30,000 limit for retirees receiving a police pension.

The board always sought the waiver until a board meeting on July 30, when the majority of the board opposed seeking the waiver again.

Murphy was paid $42,000 as Holley chief. Without the waiver, his pay would be capped at no more than $30,000. He is already close to that threshold this year, nearing the end of August. Murphy said without the waiver not only is his pay capped at $30,000, but he would see his pension decrease.

Mayor John Kenney said some members of the board are against the waivers. The mayor said Murphy said done a “great job” for the community, running a professional department.

He said village officials will discuss the next steps for finding Murphy’s successor.

Murphy has been out since July 28 due to back surgery. Robert Barton has been serving as officer-in-charge, but he will done in two weeks to return to his full-time teaching position.

Murphy said the department’s part-time officers impressed him with their commitment to the job.

“We were stepping up patrols,” Murphy said. “They are dedicated.”

Murphy, an Albion native, started his law enforcement with Holley in 1985. He also worked at the Albion, Rochester and Greece police departments and then retired. However, he took the chance to return to Holley as police chief.

“The people are the main reason I stayed,” he said. “The residents there are great. They’re like your family.”