Jim Hipple spent 23 years as a law enforcement officer in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.
Establishing the NYPD 10-13 Club in The Villages has been a real passion for the Village of Hadley resident.
“There is something about being a New York police officer,” he said. “It’s good for us to spend time together.”
He said that 10-13 “is the most important code we have.”
It is the code indicating a policeman is in trouble.
The club installed new officers at its Thursday evening meeting at SeaBreeze Recreation Center.
Hipple is now the past president of the club he has worked hard to establish. His sense of accomplishment in founding the club is evident.
Mike Spalding is the incoming president, Hank Aranda will serve as the new secretary, and Mike Powers and Kevin Connors will serve as trustees.
Since it was founded, the club has participated in charitable events such as helping out with Operation Shoebox and participating in Sheriff Bill Farmer’s annual golf tournament.
But perhaps the club’s most important duty is serving as an a honor guard at fallen members’ funerals.
“No one understands a New York policeman like another New York policeman,” Hipple said.