• Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer gives his retirement speech at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN, Albany Times Union / 20043331A
Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN, Albany Times Union
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer gives his retirement speech at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer gives his retirement speech at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer, left, receives a blessing from police chaplin officer Paul Carney at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer, left, receives a blessing from police chaplin officer Paul Carney at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. ... more
Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN, Albany Times Union
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer is given good wishes from his command at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer is given good wishes from his command at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer speaks to the gathering at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer speaks to the gathering at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer is given good wishes from his command at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer is given good wishes from his command at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN, Albany Times Union
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer salutes members his command at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer salutes members his command at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer speaks to the gathering at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
Assistant Chief of Department George VanBramer speaks to the gathering at his retirement ceremony Friday March 30, 2018 outside of police headquarters in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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D/Sgt. Mike Parrow speaks with Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Ruso, right, during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
D/Sgt. Mike Parrow speaks with Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Ruso, right, during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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D/Sgt. Mike Parrow acknowledges his retirement during a ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
D/Sgt. Mike Parrow acknowledges his retirement during a ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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D/Sgt. Mike Parrow salutes his fellow officers during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
D/Sgt. Mike Parrow salutes his fellow officers during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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D/Sgt. Mike Parrow speaks with Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Ruso, right, during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
D/Sgt. Mike Parrow speaks with Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Ruso, right, during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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D/Sgt. Mike Parrow says so long to his fellow officers during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
D/Sgt. Mike Parrow says so long to his fellow officers during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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D/Sgt. Mike Parrow salutes his fellow officers during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
D/Sgt. Mike Parrow salutes his fellow officers during his retirement ceremony at Central Station Thursday March 29, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
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TROY – The city police department honored its departing assistant chief with a walkout ceremony at police headquarters Friday.

Assistant Police Chief George VanBramer, who led the department as acting police chief and was its first K9 officer, was saluted at 10 a.m. for his 40-year career.

VanBramer took command of the police department after former Chief John Tedesco retired in a similar walkout ceremony on Jan. 12. He turned over command to Chief Brian Owens on Feb. 14.

VanBramer was promoted to assistant chief commanding the patrol division on Nov. 18, 2011. He and his K9 partner Drago were well known across the city for visiting elementary schools.

The assistant chief also was a member of the Emergency Response Team and involved in creating the department's firing range in Pittstown. He also served as a detective sergeant.

VanBramer has more than 56 letters of commendation and noteworthy performance. He received the Silver Shield for heroism in 1984.

Detective sergeant saluted Thursday

Detective Sgt. Michael Parrow was also acknowledged at 10 a.m. Thursday as he capped off a career of more than 34 years.

Parrow joined the department in 1983 after serving as a deputy sheriff in the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office from 1976-83. H was proved to sergeant on Nov. 10, 2003 after serving as an evidence technician. He has been assigned to the detective bureau since 2005.

Parrow earned over more than 60 letters of commendation and noteworthy police performance. He also was presented the Silver Shield Award for heroism. In addition he was honored as the officer of the year with the John J. Givney Memorial Award.

Parrow is a medical legal death investigator for the Rensselaer County Health Department and will continue in that position after his retirement.