BANGOR, Maine — Bangor police Officer Rob Angelo became a sergeant during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon after nearly 17 years of service in the department.
“I am very, very happy with being able to make this promotion today,” Police Chief Ron Gastia said before pinning a sergeant’s badge to Angelo’s uniform.
Angelo, who is the K-9 trainer for the force, has been an officer since 1992, when he got his start with the Brewer Police Department. He joined Bangor two years later and, with the exception of a brief stint with the New Hampshire State Police in 1997 and 1998, has worked on the force ever since, according to Gastia.
He has a degree in education from Cortland College in New York and also graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
During a brief speech, Angelo said he works for the best police force in the state and that “it’s an honor to have this position.”
He thanked his wife, Laura, and 9-year-old daughter, Isabelle, for tolerating many night and weekend shifts, 3 a.m. call-outs and missed soccer games during his career.
Angelo is well known for being in the right place at the right time and participating in dramatic rescues, receiving several awards for his lifesaving efforts, according to Gastia.
“They seem to all have something to do with the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge,” Gastia joked during the ceremony.
In April 2011, Angelo shed his Kevlar vest and utility belt and waded into the Penobscot River to help rescue a woman who had jumped from the bridge.
Fifteen months earlier, Angelo talked another suicidal woman out of jumping from the same bridge and then prevented her from falling into the icy river below after she slipped while attempting to climb back over the railing.
Congratulations Sgt. Angelo, well deserved!
I still owe this man a beer and a steak.
Sometimes they get promoted for knowing the right person, sometimes they get promoted for being in the right place at that right time. This time, they picked the cream of the crop. A good cop with true values where they matter the most. Congratulations Sgt. Angelo.
Officer Angelo is an amazing officer!!! Very devoted to the city of Bangor!! Congrats!!!
way to go officer angelo!!
It’s great to see a story where all of the comments are positive. I don’t know Sgt. Angelo, but I have read so many things he has done that not only saved lives, but changed lives. Congratulations!
Love the smile and proud look from Mr. Angelo’s daughter….congrats to you Sgt. Angelo for the recognition and thanks for all you do…..