Police Inspector Frank Bachmayer, commander of the Northeast Police Division, called it a career on Monday, retiring after 45 years with the department.
“It’s time to go,” he said.
Bachmayer signed up for the Deferred Retirement Option Plan in 2020, which requires city employees to retire after four years, or five, if they agree to stay on an extra year.
“What a fifth year,” Bachmayer said, citing the plane crash on Cottman Avenue and the throngs of people who gathered at Frankford and Cottman avenues after the Eagles won the NFC championship and Super Bowl LIX earlier this year.
Family, friends, colleagues and elected officials helped him celebrate his retirement on Nov. 14 at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.
While Bachmayer’s last day at his office at the police station at 2809 Levick Street was Nov. 17, he’ll remain on the payroll using unused time until April 3.
Bachmayer, 65, grew up in and still lives in the Northeast, graduating from St. Timothy Grammar School and Father Judge High School (class of 1979). He worked for a time for the old Whitman chocolate factory.
In the police department, Bachmayer worked 45 years and a day, entering the academy on Nov. 16, 1981 as a member of Class 257. He is the last member of his class to retire.
After graduating in March 1982 – back when cadets left the academy after just four months – he was assigned to the 23rd District (now merged with the 22nd). He also worked in the 2nd before being promoted to sergeant in 1990 and being assigned to the 5th and later back to the 2nd.
At the 2nd, he served under Capts. Rich DeLise and Jerry Levins.
“That was a good experience for me,” Bachmayer said. “I really learned under DeLise and Levins to work with the community.”
Bachmayer was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and assigned to the 25th district, serving under Capts. Bill Colarulo and Tony Boyle.
“Bill and Tony taught me a lot about being in a very busy place,” he said.
Bachmayer recalls Police Commissioner John Timoney making regular visits to the 25th and stressing the importance of the work police do.
In 2000, Bachmayer moved to Northwest Detectives. Two years later, he was promoted to captain, serving in the 19th, 9th, 25th, 15th and 7th districts, in narcotics and Northeast Detectives.
In 2015, he was promoted to inspector and worked with Chief Inspector Dennis Wilson on Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia in September of that year.
“I was responsible for crowd control,” he said.
Bachmayer later worked for the Office of School District of Philadelphia Safety, Internal Affairs, the East Division and his final five years commanding the Northeast Police Division.
Through all his assignments, Bachmayer said he tried to keep people safe.
“I was passionate about the job,” he said. “What we do matters.”
In addition to working the papal visit, sports celebrations and the plane crash, Bachmayer has been a part of other major events, including the I-95 collapse in 2023.
In 2009 – while doing some side work for McCafferty Funeral Home – he drove a hearse to Washington, D.C. to return the body of legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, who died before the Phillies were scheduled to play the Nationals. On the ride back, he was spooked when his cell phone rang to the tone of Kalas’ famous call declaring the Phillies the “2008 world champions of baseball.”
As for the party at the FOP, a slide show of pictures captured Bachmayer in action over the years, including when he wore a riot helmet on the rainy, cold night that the plane crashed on Cottman Avenue.
Bachmayer received citations from City Councilman Mike Driscoll and state Reps. Martina White, Sean Dougherty, Pat Gallagher and Joe Hohenstein.
Bachmayer also received gifts from the Second Alarmers, where he is a former board chair, and the Michael the Archangel Ministry, where he was a founding member and close to the chaplain, the late Rev. Steve Wetzel.
Deputy Police Commissioner Michael Cram was on hand, recalling how Bachmayer took part in a foot pursuit as commander of the 15th district before he even had his first roll call.
Others in attendance included Chief Inspector Michael McCarrick, the emcee; former interim Police Commissioner Christine Coulter; Capts. Andrew DiSanto (2nd), Steven O’Brien (7th), Nick DeBlasis (8th) and Marques Newsome (15th); 2nd district community relations officer Mark Mroz, the DJ; and members of the family of slain 15th district community relations officer Gary Skerski.
Bachmayer will be replaced by Capt. Robert Heinzeroth, who’ll be promoted to inspector on Nov. 24.
Also being promoted on Nov. 24 is Bachmayer’s daughter, Rose, who’ll become a sergeant.
Retirement will give Bachmayer more time to spend with his three daughters, five grandchildren and wife Sharon, who is an officer in the 15th district.
Bachmayer also plans to try a new hobby – golf.
Enrolled in DROP, Bachmayer knew this day was coming, and now it’s here.
“After 45 years,” he said, “it’s time to start another chapter of my life.” ••
