CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Clarksville Police Department hosted a retirement and promotion ceremony Oct. 16.
Chief Al Ansley presented Sergeant Joe DiFiore with a Certificate of Retirement and K9 Officer Gabriel Johnson and Traffic Investigator Melissa Spielhagen with Promotion Certificates to the rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant Joe DiFiore
Sgt Joe DiFiore served faithfully and honorably for 32 years at the Clarksville Police Department. He has been a Sergeant for 13 of his 32 years. Along with his natural ability to lead, his experience from Patrol Officer to a Detective and then to a Sergeant made him a valuable asset to his Supervisors, the Officers he led, the CPD and the City of Clarksville.
Throughout Sgt DiFiore’s years on the force, he has been a DARE Officer, a member of the Honor Guard, a member of the Crime Scene Team, and a member of the SWAT Team. Also, he has supervised the Major Crimes Unit, which includes the Evidence Room, Domestic Violence Unit, Child Crimes Unit, and Homicide Unit. He has passed the PT test from 2011 through 2015.
The impact he made on the CPD and the Clarksville Community was evident today at the ceremony held at the CPD’s Training Facility. Several current and retired CPD Officers spoke about their time working with Sgt DiFiore. His experience and professionalism will be missed.
Sgt Joe DiFiore—“You can take the man out of the Department, but you can’t take the blue out of my blood.”
In attendance with Sgt DiFiore were his wife, Debbie DiFiore, his daughter and her husband, Jodee and Justin Rapp, and his wife’s sister and husband from Dallas, Millie and Henry Vinson.
Congratulations to Sgt Joe DiFiore and his family on his retirement!
Sergeants Gabriel Johnson and Melissa Spielhagen
Also, congratulations to Sgt Gabriel Johnson and Sgt Melissa Spielhagen on their promotions! Sgt Johnson has worked at the CPD since May 1, 2005. Sgt Spielhagen has worked at the CPD since July 16, 2007.
In attendance with Sgt Johnson were his wife, Mae Johnson, and his 7-month-old son, Noah Johnson. In attendance with Sgt Spielhagen were CPD Dispatcher and close friend, Sarah Morse, and her boyfriend Justin Jones, who is a soldier at Fort Campbell.
The Clarksville Police Department would also like to thank Councilman Geno Grubbs, Councilman Mike Alexander, the members of the Clarksville Police Academy Alumni (CPAA), retired CPD representatives, Kaye Jones, family, and friends for attending this ceremony. And special thanks to the CPD staff who organized the ceremony.
Photos courtesy of CPD