Community Leaders Reflect on Community Affairs Detective Tommy Nihill's Retirement

by M.C. Millman 

Community Affairs Detective Tommy Nihill announced his retirement this week after 34 years of dedicated service to the people of New York.

"Congrats to our very own Detective Tommy Nihill," the NYPD Community Affairs tweeted Tuesday, "who retires today after 34+ years of service. Tommy has helped and inspired countless people, including Inspector Richie Taylor — who he mentored 26 years ago in @NYPD61Pct when then-Explorer Taylor was contemplating a career with the NYPD!"

"Tommy has been working with the Jewish community his whole career of over 34 years," Community Affairs Commanding Officer Inspector Richie Taylor reminisces. "When I was 15 years old, I was a Police Explorer in the 61st Precinct, and I remember talking to Tommy. He always gave us a listening ear and provided good advice. He's a legend because he's been with the department for so long. There is just so much positivity about him. He always comes with a smile, always looking to help. 

"He was always there for the community, whether it was to help coordinate a hachnases sefer Torah, a levaya, or anything else. He was a tremendous asset to all of us. We were very fortunate to have him, especially in Community Affairs, where he always made my job easier."

"Throughout the years, I worked a lot with Tommy," District Leader Pinny Ringel shares with BoroPark24. "He is a real mentch and always understood the community's needs. As he retires after years of dedicated service at Brooklyn South; his legacy of commitment, courage, and community policing will forever stand as a beacon of inspiration. His unwavering dedication to keeping our city and community safe and fostering positive relationships with the community leaves an indelible mark on all of us." 

"I'm so grateful to Detective Tommy Nihill for his three and a half decades of dedicated service to the NYPD and our community," Councilman Kalman Yeger tells BoroPark24. "In good times and tragedies, Tommy could always be counted on to be a familiar face, a calming voice, and always demonstrated incredible love for the community he serves. Tommy is the perfect example of a perfect police-community relationships, and it was my great honor to serve the public with him during his last years with the police department. I'm sad we're losing him, and I wish him many years of good health and enjoyment of his well-earned retirement."

"Tommy is an example of what a police officer should be, but even more than that, he's an incredible person," Barry Spitzer, District Manager of Community Board 12, shares. "Tommy didn't need to be asked for anything; he anticipated the community's needs and addressed them without fanfare. Tommy always had a knack for understanding sensitive situations and what needed to be done. We will miss him dearly."

"To my Brother in Blue," Lieutenant Ira Jablonsky voiced, "it has definitely been the best ride of life! I will miss you more than you know!"