Say adios to Clarkstown Detective Juan Rocha, who hung up his badge and service revolver today after 29 years on the police department.
Rocha became a detective in 1989 after joining the police force on March 9, 1981.
He worked dozens and dozens of cases – from assaults to robberies, rapes and murders – getting several awards for his work from the police department.
Rocha also wwent beyond police work and advocated for the working class- immigrants who were living in squalid conditions at Hyenga Lake off Route 59. He mixed some social work in with his police work. 
“He was one of the first Spanish-speaking detectives and cops,”said Sgt. Harry Baumann, the department public information officer and a cop for more than four decades. “He was a good cop and detective.”
In other Clarkstown police activity, Scott Rios got promoted to sergeant. Rios, who worked a few years with NYPD, came to Clarkstown on Aug. 3, 2001. He worked the mall duty for several years. The Town Board approved his promotion on Tuesday at its regular meeting.
Whether the Town Board will replace Rios and Rocha is unknown, Baumann said. The department has four other open patrol officers position and Supervisor Alexander Gromack has indicated those position would not be filled to save money.
In upper right photo, Detective Juan Rocha at his desk
