Area mourns former police chief

PINE PLAINS — John Ladoceour, 70, who was the chief of police for the town of Pine Plains from 1999 to 2005, died Saturday, Jan. 9, at Sharon Hospital.

Ladoceour’s memorial service at the First United Presbyterian Church in Pine Plains was attended beyond the church’s full capacity by residents, friends, congregation members, emergency service volunteers and police officers, all paying tribute to a man whose life revolved around the force and the community he swore to protect.

Born in Ogdensburg, on the Canadian border, Ladoceour came down to the Harlem Valley after finding himself unemployed in Waddington, N.Y. He found a security position at Wassaic State School (now Taconic DDSO), where his sister worked, in 1972. It was there that Ladoceour found his calling in law enforcement, as well as his wife, Carol, who was also working at the facility.

Ladoceour made his way up the ranks, eventually to the top title of chief in 1988. He held that position for 10 years, retiring from Wassaic State School in 1998. But during his 26 years of employment, he kept busy in the surrounding area as well. In 1973 he became a constable for the town of Amenia.

Two years after moving to Pine Plains in 1984, he was appointed assistant chief of the newly reorganized Pine Plains Police Department, under Bob Couse. He graduated from the police academy in 1989, in 1993 was promoted to sergeant, and in 1999, following Couse’s retirement, Ladoceour was appointed chief of police in Pine Plains.

As a member of the Dutchess County Association of Chiefs of Police, Ladoceour held the rank of vice president before leaving the department for a final year with the Millerton Police Department, retiring from law enforcement in 2005.

“John loved law enforcement,� said his wife, Carol, last Thursday at her home. “That’s what he lived for, and he was not a happy camper when he retired.�

Poor health was a major factor in Ladoceour’s decision to step down from the force. He was diagnosed with emphysema, and his wife said he had also been struggling with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and diabetes for the last few years.

But even when his condition continued to worsen, Ladoceour was determined to remain a presence in the town, his wife said. They could be found having breakfast at the Main Street Cafe every morning, even if he was accompanied by an oxygen tank and would be exhausted by mid-afternoon.

He was a community person, and someone with a love for young and old alike.

“He was a very caring person. He wasn’t going to let you stand in the corner; he would go over and introduce himself,� Carol said. “And he was proud that for such a small town people would still come out and support things like the Parade of Lights and the ag fairs. He was in awe of the support.�

At the memorial service, held last Saturday, people shared memories of Ladoceour indicating that he had touched people in many different ways.

“He was a recent friend, but I quickly got attached to John,� explained Nan Herow, the organist for the Presbyterian Church. “John was a traditional man, and he stood up for what was wrong, but he was also a little different.�

She compared this quality to “Amazing Grace,� and she followed with an inspired rendition of the song.

“John was truly a great friend and a faithful elder of the church,� said Pastor Carol Miller.

Ladoceour, although only becoming involved in the church in the last few years of his life, designed its Web site and organized an annual ice cream social.

“He didn’t do things halfway,� his wife said while recollecting about the various community programs he was involved in. “It was all the way or not at all. He put everything into it.�

Several people touched on John’s dry sense of humor.

“John’s always going to be in my heart,� said Herbert Day, reverend of the Millerton United Methodist Church, who said he wouldn’t be surprised to find Ladoceour at heaven’s front door saying, “What took you so long?�

“He was so funny and down to earth,� added Renee Merryman. She remembered one time in particular when she was crying and he offered her a handkerchief.

“It was an act of kindness I’ll never forget. That’s what John was all about: helping people. He was somebody who was so together and had such strong faith. I learned a lot from him.�

From the testimony on Saturday it was obvious that Ladoceour was a strong presence in the community for many years, but from pictures in the collages at the front of the church it became evident that the family man had become attached to a young man perhaps looking to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. In several photo opportunities, Ladoceour is seen posing with his grandson, TroiHunter Cookingham, both decked out in policeman’s uniforms and traditional aviator sunglasses.

“John bought him a Little Tykes police car, and everybody called TroiHunter ‘Pa’s partner,’� Carol said. “He was thrilled that his grandson was interested in being a policeman.�

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