Cathy Madalone's final minutes as Bergenfield police chief on Thursday started at the top of the front stairs of Borough Hall, where she spoke into a walkie-talkie:

"This is my final sign-off. I just want to say it's been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of the borough of Bergenfield and work alongside these fine men and women of this wonderful Police Department. It's truly been an honor. Seven-ten, over and out."

The first woman to lead a municipal police force in Bergen County, Madalone, after 25 years on the force, is leaving to take the chief's post in Pacific Grove, California. Her final day working in Bergenfield was Thursday, and her official retirement date is at the end of July.

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Madalone, teary-eyed, made her way down the stairs giving a salute and then hugs to her colleagues, who lined up on either side of the stairs. This is what is known in police circles as a "walkout."

She then went into the crowd of family, friends and public officials who gathered to give a fond farewell and take photos, giving each a hug, while bagpipe players performed "Auld Lang Syne." She also received a proclamation from state Assembly members Lisa Swain and Christopher Tully, a former Bergenfield councilman.

Madalone took a moment to say she was "feeling good" and that the moment was "bittersweet," before she continued with the hugs.

Among the crowd was Madalone's wife of two years, Pam Dino.

"It is my first walkout and very emotional," Dino said. "For her, it is 25 years serving here, really half her life, with these wonderful people, so it is emotional and bittersweet."

Deputy Police Chief Chris Massey, Madalone's longtime colleague, said in a statement after the ceremony, "It was a pleasure working with Cathy for the past 24 years. We climbed through the ranks together from patrol all the way up to Administration ... I’m sure she will be missed by the officers and residents of Bergenfield, but our loss is Pacific Grove’s gain. I wish good luck to Cathy as she moves on to another chapter in her great career."

In Pacific Grove, she will oversee a department of 34 employees, including 23 officers, in the central California coastal city of 15,000. Her first day of work is June 10.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com