Fifth Precinct inspector retires after over three decades in service

Fifth Precinct inspector John Sumwalt, 52, plans to retire from his post as commanding officer later this month.

“It was a hard decision for me as I feel I truly have more I can still offer the agency,” he said. However, duty calls, as he was offered the ability to help police in another way by working in the private sector for a software company that focuses on efficiency and police organization.

“I will be able to help cops around the country be safer and do their job more effectively,” he explained.

Though a successor has not yet been selected, Sumwalt said, his deputy Robert Monten will be staying on to help ease the transition, whoever should fill the position.

“I am going to miss everything about this job; it’s all I have known since I was 20 years old,” Sumwalt said, noting that if he could go back and do it all again, he would.

The best part of his career, he said, is mentoring police officers, of which he most recently had 145 and 78 crossing guards under his command.

“I wear a white shirt and different shield, but underneath I am still wearing that blue shirt and silver shield,” he said, noting that he never lost sight of what it meant to be a street cop. “The biggest thing I will remember is making any impact on their career; it’s better than any plaque or award, if I can help shape a cop. It’s what I am going to miss most.”

As for being the commanding officer out of Patchogue, he is known for building relationships with local village officials and the chamber as well as the school district superintendents.

“It goes back to the 1829 Sir Robert Peel’s Policing Principles: in order to prevent crime and disorder, we must have public approval of the police,” he said.

And approval he gained.

“He is really a wonderful person, who really helped,” said Patchogue Village mayor Paul Pontieri, also noting the village will miss him and his smarts.

As for Sumwalt’s favorite memory/biggest accomplishment, he referenced his participation in the FBI Academy in 2010 as well as the trip he made to El Salvador with a small group of law enforcement to help eradicate MS-13.

When asked what the biggest challenge of his job was, Sumwalt referenced the nightlife environment in Patchogue.

“My goal was to find a balance between ensuring public safety while still providing businesses the opportunity to thrive,” he said noting that by working cooperatively with the restaurant industry, the Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Patchogue, they were able to achieve much of that goal. “We instituted a new staffing plan and tailored our patrol tactics. The police officers who work that detail have a difficult job but navigate it with professionalism.”

At home, Sumwalt has the support of his wife Heather, a teacher, and his two sons Coady and Heath, to which he credits his ability to have a successful career. Together with his friends and colleagues, they are planning to host a retirement party.

INSPECTOR SUMWALT’S CAREER

Ins. John Sumwalt started his policing career in 1992 with the NYS Park Police where he worked in the NYC and Long Island regions. He was hired by the Suffolk County Police Department in 1995 and upon graduating from the Police Academy was assigned to the Fifth Precinct. 

While assigned as an officer in the Fifth, he worked in the Patrol, COPE, and Precinct Crime Sections and then as an investigator in the Fifth Squad Detectives. Upon promotion to Sergeant, he remained in the Fifth Precinct assigned to patrol until his transfer to the Office of the Chief of Patrol.  

In 2010, Sumwalt was designated to the rank of detective sergeant and went on to serve in the Seventh Squad Detectives Section, Computer Crimes Section, and the Office of the Chief of Detectives before his eventual promotion to Lieutenant where he served in the Office of the Chief of Department and Sixth Precinct Crime Section.

As a detective lieutenant he served as the commanding officer of the Technical Services Section. Upon his promotion to captain, he was transferred to the Internal Affairs Bureau.

Sumwalt was promoted to the rank of deputy inspector in August of 2018 and served as the executive officer of the Third Precinct and as commanding officer of the Major Crimes and Special Patrol Bureaus. In February 2022, he was promoted to the rank of inspector and assigned to the Fifth Precinct, from where he retires today.

Additionally, he is a small-business owner, operating a family-owned award shop on the east end of Long Island. Sumwalt graduated from Long Island University with a B.A., Saint John’s University with a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership and the 242nd Session of the F.B.I. National Academy.