Duff Gets A Hero’s Send-Off

The call came over the radio around 2 p.m. Monday. Officers from throughout the city responded — with cheers, love, and admiration.

“Signal 13,” dispatch communications manager Debbie Thornton called, her voice audible over multiple police radios arrayed by the steps to police headquarters at 1 Union Ave.

Police officers past and present were lined up waiting for the call, which means that an officer is off duty, for good.

That officer, Capt. Anthony Duff, then walked out of the building. Officers saluted. He has retired after 25 years as one of New Haven’s most beloved community cops, working with people of all walks of life to make Dixwell a safe neighborhood, to investigate crimes, then to serve as the department’s official spokesperson. (Read more about him here and here.)

Salutes turned to cheers as Duff walked the gauntlet, down to the street, where other current and retired officers from New Haven, from Yale, and others with whom he worked offered appreciation and congratulations.

It was lost on no one present that 18 months earlier, hundreds of officers had lined up for a similar salute and tribute to Capt. Duff — when he emerged from Yale New Haven Hospital following 10 days of surgery and recovery after he confronted a gunman the night of Oct. 12, 2019 and got shot. The department, the entire city, prayed for his recovery. (Police have not made an arrest in the case.)

Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez noted that Duff could have retired after that devastating attack. When he returned instead, it inspired his fellow officers. ​“What he’s done for the men and women of the police department, he’ll never know,” Dominguez said. ​“He’s a wonderful person. He’s an excellent police officer. We love him, as you can see.”

Duff told reporters afterward that he has no immediate plans for his retirement. Though he does expect to catch some fish.