AMHERST — A patrol officer who developed a peer support program to help other members of the Amherst Police force cope with emotional and physical stress, and who also served as a liaison to a program that helps keep senior citizens safe, has retired.
David A. Rhoades recently departed from the department after 23 years.
Police Chief Scott Livingstone praised Rhoades’ service to the town and the department.
“Dave was one of those elder officers who younger officers looked up to for information and guidance,” Livingstone said.
Rhoades, who lives in Belchertown with wife Emily, was also a member of the mounted patrol.
Rhoades is perhaps best known in the department for creating a critical incident stress management program. Livingstone said this is a model for other departments in western Massachusetts, and he anticipates Rhoades will continue to work on similar programs during his retirement.
As liaison to the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together program, Rhoades helped elders with maintaining their physical and financial well being.
Rhoades received a letter of commendation for his response to the gas explosion on Emerson Court in August 2006, and in December 2010 earned praise when he rescued an 83-year-old man whose vehicle plunged into the Mill River.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
