NEW YORK MILLS N.Y.- It was a special day Friday in New York Mills as a local elected official honored a long serving member of the law enforcement community.

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon honored former New York Mills Police Chief Donald Wolanin with a resolution that she passed honoring Wolanin's time and service with the New York Mills Police Department.

Wolanin served as chief from 1973-1988, and from 2016-2020, retiring this past April.

Between those times, Wolanin worked for the Whitestown Police Department from 1988-2014.

Wolanin tells NEWSChannel 2, he is grateful to recieve this honor.

"Anytime any police officers get recognition for their career, it's a good thing. The way the word is today, it's good to highlight all the good things the police do because they do a lot of good things also." said Wolanin.

Current New York Mills Police Chief, and Wolanin's successor Robert Franklin was also honored, being presented with a citation for his new role.