5.29.2026 Chief Kelly Furtado Retirement Send Off

Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon.

So, first and foremost, I want to thank everyone that took some time out of their Friday afternoon to pay respect and celebrate uh Chief Kelly Fittado, who will be retiring officially on Monday. Um she's got a trip already planned, so we wanted to schedule this today. Councelor Pereira also has a citation that she'd like to give Chief Fertado and say a few words, as well as the mayor.

uh first and foremost from the agency.

Today we gather to celebrate something truly special. A career that spans nearly four decades. A career defined by dedication resilience leadership and service. You may hear some common threads when other people speak. And when you hear a common thread, it's because it's true. We are here to honor Chief Kelly Fetardo and congratulate her on a well-earned retirement after 38 years of service to the city of Fall

River. When Kelly first walked through the doors of the department that's about to be taken down in January of 1988, she wasn't wearing a police uniform. She began her career as a dispatcher and a telephone complaint operator. Even though that telephone complaint operator title kind of carried through your entire career, even as chief, serving the public from behind the scenes and helping ensure that those in need

received assistance when they needed it most. Three years later, she took another step in her journey, attending the Barnstable County Police Academy and becoming a former police officer in 1991.

What followed was a career that touched nearly every corner of this organization. She served in patrol. She rode a bicycle in our tactical unit. She worked in community policing. She investigated cases in the domestic violence unit and major crimes division.

She served as a school resource officer, helping guide and mentor countless young people. She supervised special operations and school resource officers.

She led patrol officers as a sergeant and as a lieutenant. And she commanded divisions as a captain. And ultimately, she rose to become the leader of this department. Along the way, she experienced firsthand the evolution of modern policing. She served during an era where reports were handwritten, typewritten, and then on a computer, when cell phones were a luxury, and when social media wasn't even a concept. She

adapted to every change, every challenge, and every new expectation placed upon this profession. What makes Kelly's career remarkable isn't simply the position she held. It's the fact that she succeeded in every one of them.

She earned the respect of her peers, the trust of her subordinates, and the confidence of those who selected her for greater responsibility. In 2019, she was promoted to sergeant. in 21 lieutenant, in 22, captain, and in October of 2024, she was appointed to the interim police chief position and ultimately became permanent police chief. Of all of her accomplishments, one will forever hold a

special place in the history of the fora police department. Chief Chief became the first female chief of police in our department's history. That achievement represents far more than a title. It represents progress. It represents opportunity and it serves as a reminder to every young woman entering this profession that there are no limits on what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and perseverance.

Long after today's ceremony is over, long after all of us move on from our current roles, that piece of history will always remain. Future generations of officers will look back and see that Chief Kelly Fado opened a door that had never been opened before. Quite frankly, she didn't just open it, she kicked it down. But titles and promotions only tell part of the story. A police career

is measured by something much greater than rank. It's measured by the people you impact, the officers you mentor, the victims you help, the students who live through your influence, the community you serve, and the example you set for others. For 38 years, Kelly answered that call. She worked nights, weekends, holidays, and countless long hours. She missed family events and personal

milestones because the people of Fall River needed someone willing to stand watch. She carried the responsibilities that come with this profession, often quietly and without recognition. Today, we recognize those sacrifices. We recognize the commitment it took to build a career that lasted nearly four decades. And we recognize the family members who shared in that sacrifice every step of the way. To Chief Fittado,

thank you. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and the example you set. And thank you for leaving this department better than you found it. I think on your first day, that was the first thing you said to me as she crumpled up the organizational chart and threw it in the barrel and said, "We're starting from scratch." I had a brief heart attack because we were about to have a an accreditation assessment, but

uh we got through it.

As you retire, and I said, I don't know any of this tech stuff, so it's all on you.

She did. She did.

As you retire, you leave behind a legacy that cannot be measured solely by years of service or ranks achieved. Your legacy lives in the officers you mentored, the community you served, and the history you helped make. For 38 years, you dedicated yourself to the Forva Police Department. So today, we celebrate you. On behalf of the men and women of this department, congratulations on an extraordinary

career. Congratulations on your retirement. And thank you for everything you've done for the city of Forever and for me. Chief Kelly Fittado, enjoy this next chapter. You have certainly earned it. So, if anyone knows the chief, she loves a good trinket and a good thing to be uh for a memory. So, my wife has influenced me in arts and crafts. So, if the assessment center for chief has an

arts and crafts section, I think I'll be pretty good. So I made this for her which basically says uh Chief Kelly a fertado it tells her Spanish service 38 years and grateful recognition of dedicated service leadership and commitment to the citizens of Fore River. Your leadership, professionalism and historic achievement as the first female chief of police have left a permanent mark on this department and

the community it serves. We'll put that over here for you.

Thank you.

One one thing that one thing that Chief Rado gave me on her last day was uh a policy or a procedure she wrote around recognition of those retiring. And we've had so many people leave this agency, some recognized, some not. But one thing that she always uh instilled was we want consistency. We want to make sure everyone gets the same. So what I'm starting is a tradition that I think is

pretty cool and it's going to start with Kelly in honor of what she said and what she left behind. But for those that don't know, inside this police department, we have index cards that are typewritten. We still have a typewriter upstairs, which drives me crazy, but I get over that because the history that's instilled in those cards dates back to the early 1800s and speaks to the

different assignments you've had as an officer. And it talks about when your name changed, when you get married. It's really basically like a personnel card that talks to your history. So, what I went ahead and did was copied them and put them in this plaque so that she has a full listing. Her history here is four cards long. So, that's pretty amazing.

I'd like to call up Mayor Coogan to say a few words.

That guy is way too nice.

Way too nice.

I worked with Kelly for a long time before she became chief and moved up the ranks down here. And I got her, one of the things I got her is my wife taught me to make a plate like this. So I bought this plate and I hand painted it cuz that's what she did to me her whole life. I'll tell you one story about what she did to me. I'm not going to talk

long, but this sums up my existence with her. when she was running around the halls of Dery with Mike Pereira and I know that God did that to me for all the things I did when I was young because those two are a pair. She comes waling into my office one day. It's true story now. And she says, "Oh, I found this girl in the hall. Take care of her." And

I'm saying, you know, the girl looked kind of normal. And I'm saying, "What's" Because we usually dealt with these kids that were in distress or they needed help right away. So, she's she knows my setup. I got my desk back here and there's a couch over here. She plops the kid on the couch and says, "I'll see you later. I'm going to the cafeteria." I said, "Come here. Come here. Come here.

What is this girl here for? Why did you bring her to me? What's going on? She doesn't have any underwear on."

She dumped her in my office. She dumped her in my office and I was screaming, "Get back in here." She came back and I left. She took care of it because I would dump a ton of work on her, but she had no problem trying to dump that on me. So they would say, "How did you know, Mr. Cougar? What did you do?" And I was trying to catch her, but out the

door she went and running to stick it on me. And that's a true story. That's how I dealt with her. But I do know she had a tremendous heart. And she did a lot of good with those kids, whether it was basketball at night, whether it was extra duty in the hallways or in the cafeteria. Michael, Kelly, myself, and some of the other VPs. We wandered those halls with those kids all day. And

that's where she made an impact on me.

Um because she cared. She liked a good prank, too, as I just told you, but at the same time, she cared and we had a lot of fun there. And when I was uh was looking for a chief, we did our interviews and uh she rose to the top there. And uh whatever happened happened, but at the same time, she did a great job for the city of Fall River. She was committed to

the city of Fall River and I'll miss her, but I hope I still see her. So, uh, I came down here to wish her nothing but the best and, um, I hope she has a happy retirement, but I'm really deathly concerned for Ron because I don't I know what that guy's going to go through now.

Um, it's moving to another level for him and you already got it today.

Oh my god.

But, um, in honesty, I'm going to miss her. She's been a great find and a great friend and I wish you nothing but the best and you know it.

Yes.

Okay.

So, Linda, who also cares for me, told me today, "What did you do for your friend Kelly?" And of course, I said, "I don't know." She said, "I'm getting some flowers." I said, "Well, I want in on that." So, we bought you this lovely bouquet of yellow roses.

And uh it was I'll give the credit where it's due to Linda, but she did give me to think about you, so I'm glad.

But she made you pay.

I'd like to call Councelor Pereira up to say a few words.

As long as nobody saw you giving me money because then they'll say that you're paying me for a vote on the budget.

Well, Kelly Fittado exemplifies the highest ideals of public service through a distinguished career defined by leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to our community. She's demonstrated a commitment of excellence spanning nearly four decades. I think I was born when you became started working here. No.

Her connection to law enforcement extends well beyond her tenure with this department. You know, I knew Kelly's father, Billy Sea, who served proudly as a police officer.

And Kelly, I know that he's smiling from above. and I know he's very proud of you. Judy and I just talked about that earlier. She is also a wife and a mother of officers who continue to serve the same community. So, public service is truly woven into the fabric of your family throughout your career. And I know um JT told you all the different jobs that she's had through here. I shouldn't have

had him read what I was going to say first, but um but I will tell you some of the things that does more than just policing in this building, but it's getting out there in the community so the community trusts police and look at us officers, male and female, as we're friends. We're here to help those. And some of the things that Kelly had worked on was the Fall River Teen Police Academy, giving young people the

opportunity to learn about law enforcement and civic responsibility.

And that program has been modeled by other communities as a resource officer.

She also did the prom dress initiative because young women should not not go to a milestone prom because they can't afford a dress. Economics isn't going to stop them. She made sure she did something about that. And then of course they did the cops and barbers program where police officers take kids out to the waterways to fish. And a lot of kids wouldn't get that experience.

And another thing that I cherish is the Halloween display that you have throughout the department where families are invited to come with children and walk through the department. I have attended every one of them and I can personally say that the smiles on the faces of children and their families were overwhelming. It's not only wonderful for the community, but it's a tremendous morale booster because people

compete on who does the best. So, I'm going to tell you now, whoever wins this Halloween, that group, Kelly said she would take you out for lunch, right, Kelly?

Because she's going to be retired and has nothing else to do, so she's going to do that. But all kidding aside, Chief Fitado has always led with integrity, empathy, and accountability. Her leadership reflects the belief that strong policing is rooted in strong relationships.

And I know that electing to retire was extremely difficult for Kelly was a real hard decision over my home family and what she considered her police family. I don't want to turn my back on my police family. It was really a struggle. And I said, Kelly, you do what you have to do for you. You've given a lot of years here. You make the choice that you need

to make and I will stand by it. And I don't want to disappoint people. I said, you're not disappointing me.

Another thing doing the mentorship with police officers who have seen a very critical situation that there's team support that you can talk to one another about it. People on the outside don't really get to see it having worked at DSS. Seeing a dead three-month old baby is something that plays on your mind. Seeing somebody mangled in an accident plays on your mind. You need to talk about that. You

need to work through it. You know you signed up for it, but get help. Work through it. Work together.

Kelly, you will forever hold and as one woman who's been on the council 25 years, you will hold the distinction of being the first female police officer in the city of Fall River. And come on, I want to hear a big clap FROM

and I'm thrilled about that. And in recognition for the extraordinary career in service, the Massachusetts Association for Women in Law Enforcement presented her with a welldeserved lifetime achievement award.

And I also have one a citation from the city in recognition of your lifetime achievement award. And Kelly, my heart needs to tell you the council voted on this unanimously for you. So there you go.

And we the city of Fall River, we the city of Fall River, thank you Chief Patado for your dedicated years of service and we wish you nothing but a healthy and happy welldeserved retirement.

Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS.

SO, I'd like to call up Representative Carol Fiola to say a few words and uh Alan Sylvia if they'd like to come up and say a few words as well.

Well, first of all, I'm probably the only person that doesn't really feel bad right now. She's going to Italy and we're not. So, right off the bat, that's a win for you, Chief, and welld deserved. Congratulations. Um, I only got to work with you in my role when you were chief and I'm state representative and um, you answered the phone, you answer the text, you always there. Uh, I take special pride for a couple of

reasons. Um, I think and I'm going to have these numbers off. If you have 220 police officers here in Fall River, give or take, five, 10, whatever it is. How many women police officers? Maybe 10, 15.

If that isn't an achievement to move up and forward, sorry guys, but above all of you guys, that is that tells you about the work ethic, your record, your history, and no one can take that away from you. You earned it.

You're here.

So I, you know, and in in the world that I'm in in the time that our legislature has been in effect is in 20,000 men plus 280 women. So, I get a little bit of that. Certainly not a chief. I'm not.

But I certainly uh know that's a proud way to serve and we serve as well and we like to think sometimes even better than others because of the juggling we do in our lives with the kids and the family and everything.

Um I also take special pride because you know I have a daughter here on the force and so for me I know my colleague here served in the police years ago. Um, you don't understand it until you understand it, until you you you see your your family member live this world and and be dedicated and care so much. Um, so and the fact that every single day the text

goes out, be safe, be safe, be safe, be safe, because we don't know in this crazy world what any of you are going to face the next time you walk out this door. So, uh, I couldn't be more proud to be here with you. And, um, we're going to present to you a citation. Let uh reps, you want to say a few words before we do that.

So, uh I don't want to say how long I've been around, but I worked for Kelly's father and I was there when she came on board, of course, not in this building.

Um they used to ask me when I was I was in major crimes for 19 years. And they would ask me, "How long you been here?"

I said, "Four chiefs and three coffee pots ago."

You know, it's the most difficult job in the world. Uh course second to that is the mayor of fall river but being a chief police you know difficult difficult business have the people um you can't please and uh it's it's just a hard job u but Kelly you did it and um you did it well so congratulations again I know your father he he would he would have tears in his

eyes right now so thank you for all you've done so enjoy your retirement and we're going to present So, we're going to present this to Chief Kelly Fado. Uh, what we can do is we present citations. This Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives giving its sincerest congratulations to Chief Kelly Patado of the Fall River Police Department. Over recognition of over 38 years of service to the Fall

River community and throughout your career, wishing you success and happiness and all your future endeavors.

from myself, Representative Sylvia, Representative Wlette, who couldn't be here, and I know on behalf of um Senator Rodri, I'm sure I know he wishes he could be here. And um we're grateful.

Thank you. Enjoy your trip.

You gave her a plate. So, it wouldn't it would it wouldn't be an event if uh Chief Fertado didn't have a chance to speak here today. Uh but I just want to close from a personal sentiment and say thank you, Kelly, for pushing me to places in in capacity that I never thought I had.

And I thought I was a high capacity person until I met you. Uh it's astonishing. She came to work every single day with energy that I didn't know where she found it. And then the internal affairs guys give her this crazy energy tea which just puts the afterburners on. But I hope that uh I was able to keep up and and and do what we needed to do. But I know that there's

a strategic plan that will continue to move forward and uh your memory will forever live on not only with me but in the walls of this police department. So thank you very much. And then the stage is yours.

All right. Before I read I needed that. Um before I uh read my speech, I just needed to say thank you to Linda um and to Carol and to Allan because uh you know a lot of when you're in this department, you see a lot of things and you hear a lot of things and um when you become chief or or a commander of a unit, you really start dealing with people from the outside in

specific politicians and um there are people that get in front of the uh Tuesday night meetings and they spew all their crap about public safety and how supportive they are. But these are the people in this room that are the doers. They're the ones that call after every incident.

They're the ones that show up in the department. They're the ones that bring things for us. Hey, are you okay? Are your guys okay? Are your people okay?

Linda, Carol, um, Allan, the mayor, those are the people that this department, which I've seen as chief, have shown up all the time. Every single time, no matter what. They always call, they always ask, and they're always there all the time. And I I just I appreciate that.

So, I uh said earlier that as the chief, I commanded all you people, but I can't command the little people in my life that I see all the time. They don't give two craps about me being the chief.

They're like, "Yeah, whatever you say."

Anyway, all right.

Good afternoon and thank you for everybody that uh showed up. First and foremost, thank you all for being here today. It means more to me that I can put into words to have you here as I begin the next chapter of my life.

If I'm being honest, this is not a step I was quite ready to take. Mentally, I still had things that

I still had things I wanted to accomplish.

ideas I wanted to see through in goals.

I'm sorry. This is why I I printed out the speech cuz I would have been out the door already.

It's looking great.

You know, I'm emotional.

I wanted to see through in goals I wanted to achieve for this department.

But sometimes our bodies and our families know what our hearts are not yet willing to accept. And so with a grateful heart and a heavy one at the same time, I have to say goodbye.

Officially, I've served this department for more than 38 and a half years. But my journey started long before that. As the daughter of a for police officer, this department was woven into the fabric of my life from the very beginning. I grew up hearing the stories, understanding the sacrifices, and learning what it meant to serve others.

In January of 1988, which I'm not sure if that dates wrong because I'm like only 25. I started here as a dispatcher in 1991. I became a forever police officer. Back then, there were not many women wearing this uniform, and there was and there were certainly challenges along the way, but I never focused on proving that I belonged.

I focused on doing the job and being the best at it.

And making sure I knew what I was talking about. I focused on serving the comm community and treating people with dignity and compassion.

Over the years, I was fortunate enough to serve in many different roles.

ultimately becoming your chief.

But the title was never what mattered most to me. Being chief definitely did not define me and it never and it never will. My legacy was forged long before I ever sat in that office. It was built in the homes where I listened to people during the worst moments of their lives.

It was built through the children I mentored and helped along the way. It was built through the families I comforted, the victims I fought for, and the officers that I supported when they needed it.

Along with the countless members of the community who simply needed someone just to care about them, it was forged defending you, being loyal to you, and being loyal to this department, and keeping my integrity through it all.

That is what I'm most proud of.

The Forum Police Department has been far more than a place of employment. It is where my father's footsteps were. It is where I met my husband. It is the career that provided for my family and helped shape the person I became. It is the place where many of my closest friendships were formed. It is the place I entrust with the safety of my own son.

It was my second home.

No matter where life takes me, Italy on Monday, a piece of my heart will always be here.

This profession is not easy. It asks more of you than most people will ever ever understand. It demands your holidays, your nights, your weekends, and your peace of mind. It requires you to witness things that no person should ever have to witness and then somehow move on to the next call.

But what always gave me strength was all of you.

I did it.

I saw resilience. I saw courage. I saw compassion. I saw officers, dispatchers, supervisors, civilian staff just continue to show up every day because they believed in something bigger than themselves.

I learned long ago that no one seed succeeds in this profession alone. Every accomplishment I achieved was because I was surrounded by incredible people who supported me, challenged me, and believed in me and took a few phone calls of uh some not so nice swear words on the phone.

Most importantly, none of this would ever have been possible without my family. Every assignment and promotion I earned came with sacrifices they made.

Every late night, every missed holiday, every interrupted dinner, emergency phone calls in a long week was shared by them. And not just that, the being home but not actually being present because your mind is replaying what you've endured all week long. They carried that burden of my career right alongside me.

To my husband, my children, and my family, I thank you.

Everything I accomplished was possible because of your unwaving love, patience, and support.

As I step away from this profession, I do so knowing there's still work left to be done. But I also leave knowing that this dip is filled with good people who care deeply.

Oh, I can't see about this city and the people we serve.

I am proud of what we accomplished together. I am proud of the culture of teamwork that we built over the last 20 months. I am proud of the relationships we strengthened with our community. and I am proud to have won this badge beside each and every one of you.

Now, it's time for me to embrace my favorite title yet, and that is of Gami.

The hours may be longer and the demands may be greater, but there is nowhere else I would rather be than spending time with my family and watching my ch my grandchildren grow. I traded the stars on my collar, the little handprints from toddlers, and I couldn't be h uh happier.

I I have to tell you, this has probably been the most stressful time of my life, and those little babies are what have gotten me through this last couple of months.

Please continue to take care of one another. Support each other.

Have each other's backs.

Be professional. Be compassionate.

Be the officer you always want showing up to your family. And above all else, which I know those close to me know I've said this a million times, never forget to be the voice of those who have none.

I love you all. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve beside beside you and thank you for letting me be your chief.

So, just in closing, early on in uh Kelly's tenure as chief, she wanted to calm things down and have a seamless transition to the the next chapter. And hopefully today gives her the grace that she deserves. And one demand that she had was a Marzil's grinder retirement uh party. So we have Marzilles, we have some Portuguese food here as we should because uh the mecca of Portuguese here.

Uh but with that said, congratulations and thank you Kelly and we wish you best in your retirement. Thank you everybody.