By JEFF LIPTON
Buscemi’s father, Edmund, also joined the department and retired as police commissioner in 1976.
So it was only natural that Buscemi join the force, which he did in 1979. Almost 30 years later with the police department, after earning countless distinctions, promotions and awards, he has retired as inspector. “This is a bittersweet moment in my life,” Buscemi said last Thursday. “The Long Beach community and the Long Beach Police Department is in my blood. I am a third-generation Long Beach police officer.
“One of the proudest moments of my life was when I was sworn in as a Long Beach police officer in 1979,” he added. “Since that time I have always sought to do everything I could to make the community of Long Beach a safer place to reside and raise a family, and I trust that in some measure I have obtained that goal.”
Police Commissioner Thomas R. Sofield, Sr. said, “Vincent has been a friend and fellow police officer for almost 30 years. He is a cop’s cop. He has done more for the City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Police Department than people will ever know. He is one of a kind and will be sorely missed. I wish him and his family nothing but the best in his retirement. As I always like to tell him, ‘You’ve really done it this time.’” After he was sworn in as police officer on July 18, 1979, fulfilling his lifelong aspiration, Buscemi rose through the ranks. He was first assigned as a plainclothes officer with the detective division in 1986, and on Aug. 15, 1987, he was promoted to sergeant of the patrol force. The following year the Long Beach Police Department’s Detective Division created a Narcotic Task Force, which was spearheaded by Buscemi, and two years later, he was designated detective sergeant. He was then promoted to deputy commanding officer, a position he served in until Sept. 22, 2000, when he returned to the uniformed patrol force as a lieutenant. From there he was elevated to commanding officer, and on March 18, 2004, he was designated executive officer. Four months later, Buscemi was tapped as detective lieutenant/ commanding officer of the detective division. And on Feb. 8, 2008, he was designated inspector, a position that was last filled by the department in 1967.
“A regret I do have is that I did aspire to follow in my father’s footsteps and hoped that someday I would become the Long Beach police commissioner,” said Buscemi.
But he sustained a debilitating knee injury in the line of duty, while evacuating a garden apartment that was on fire in May 2006. “Nevertheless, I am proud of what I did achieve during my career,” he said. “I took pride in being able to train and mentor young police officers and police supervisors. These fine individuals are the future of the Long Beach Police Department, and I trust that I am leaving the City of Long Beach in good hands so that it will continue to be provided with public safety and the quality of life that the residents have come to expect and deserve.”
Inspector Buscemi served with distinction during his career with the Long Beach Police Department, earning 23 awards for excellent police duty, the life-saving award, three certificates of commendation and the Distinguished Service Medal. He was honored as Police Officer of the Month numerous times.
In 1985 and 1987 Inspector Buscemi was the recipient of the Nassau County Police Conference’s annual Meritorious Service Award. In 1991, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Nassau County Chiefs of Police Association. In 2004 Inspector Buscemi was recognized by the United States of America’s Justice Department for his hard work and dedication. The International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association and other law enforcement agencies also have recognized Inspector Buscemi. Buscemi’s roots in Long Beach run deep, having attended Long Beach schools growing up and quickly beginning his public service in 1975 when he became a volunteer fireman at the age of 18. In 1977 he started his public service career with the city, when he began working at the Long Beach Youth Bureau.
“I am leaving the Long Beach Police Department and the community as a grateful man, and as a proud Long Beach son,” said Buscemi. “As the expression goes, ‘I will always have Long Beach sand in my shoes.’”
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