Mike Schiaretti Jr. retired at the mandatory age of 65 in June after serving as a Trenton patrolman for 43 years.
TRENTON -- A young officer pulled up at the scene of a shooting in progress in 1976, using his car as a buffer between the shooter and a child.
Michael Schiaretti Jr., then a 25-year-old Trenton patrolman, saved the child and later received a valor award for his actions that day.
Forty years later, Schiaretti said that call is the most memorable moment of his police career, which he proudly spent as a city patrolman for 43 years.
Schiaretti retired in June at the mandatory age of 65. Though he said he would have stayed another five years if allowed.
Michael Schiaretti Jr., center, with his sons, Joseph Schiaretti, left, and Michael Schiaretti III, right. "I enjoyed the people I worked with," Schiaretti said. "Most cops get burnt out working on the street and start looking for a job inside (police headquarters)."
Not Schiaretti.
He's been enjoying his "retirement" the past few weeks, but he's actualyl still working.
Schiaretti said he picked up a job as a flagman, directing traffic for street work after building a connection with the company over the years working on the city streets.
Schiaretti was sworn in to the Trenton Police Department after graduating from Penn State in 1973 -- the same year his beloved New York Yankees closed the gates to Yankee Stadium for renovation and the American League adopted the designated hitter.
Through the years, he served under numerous police commanders. And he admits he was a unique officer because of his desire to spend 43 years in the action.
"I was a freak of nature because I really liked being out on the street," Schiaretti said.
Schiaretti said it'll be tough to be away from the action.
"I'll miss the people on the street and the camaraderie among the officers," he said.
"I really enjoyed dealing with people on the street. It's exciting and a challenge. It's easy to get frustrated, especially nowadays with less respect for officers," he said.
Officer friends and family threw Schiaretti a retirement party picnic in June that was attended by 230 people.
Schiaretti still has close ties to the department. Both of his sons, Michael and Joseph, have served on the force for more than a decade.
"Once you retire, there isn't much you can do, he said. "I'm a member of the retiree union. My oldest son, [Michael Schiaretti III], is the executive vice president of the Trenton Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Local 11 Union."
"We'll still go to baseball games and do Christmas parties," he said.
Michael Schiaretti Jr. with fellow officer and friends at his retirement party in June. (Photo courtesy of William Osterman) Thomas Regan may be reached at tregan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Thomas_P_Regan. Find NJ.com on Facebook.