2 Veteran Greenwich Police Officers to Retire

Greenwich Police officers Anthony Cameron and Peter Silbereisen have nearly 6 decades of police experience between them.

After 28 and 29 years of service, respectively, the pair is to retire today from the force. However, the decorated and commended veterans of the patrol and marine divisions, won't be gone for good - both have signed up to be volunteer Special Police Officers for the department.

Cameron, who was born in Jamaica, WI and immigrated to the United States after graduating high achool. He enlisted in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1976. He is a 1983 graduate of UConn, having earned a bachelor's degree in political science. Cameron was a public safety dispatcher for the City of Stamford Fire Department before being hired by the Greenwich Police Department in 1983.

He graduated from the 175th Class of the Connecticut Municipal Police Training Council’s Basic Police Academy in 1983. Officer Cameron’s assignments included Patrol Division and the Marine Section from 1991 until 1998.  

Among Cameron’s department commendations for excellent police work in the apprehension of burglars and wanted felons as well as for his participation in numerous marine rescue operations. In 1991, he was commended for his “calm professionalism” in the rescue of three residents who were in dire need and had made a “May Day” call to the Marine Section.

In 2008, Cameron and other officers reinvigorated the charitable spirit at the department by identifying families in need and provide food and clothing to the needy during the holiday season.

He has received many letters of recognition from residents whom he aided on a variet of calls, ranging from the location of wandering children and elderly, to giving medical aid and consolation to grieving family members at the loss of a loved one.

“Officer Cameron lived up to the department’s vision to improve the quality of life within Greenwich, while at the same time maintaining respect for individual rights and human dignity,” Police Chief James Heavey said.

Silbereisen, a lifelong Greenwich resident, graduated from Greenwich High School and attended Norwalk Community College pursuing criminal justice studies. He was sworn in as a Greenwich Police Officer in 1982 and graduated from the 169th Class of the Connecticut Municipal Police Basic Police Academy in 1983. Silbereisen’s assignments included patrol officer, senior scuba diver, and communications officer.

Silbereisen, an avid boater, was assigned to the Marine Section in 1989. Having attended numerous training courses and coupled with his years of experience, he has become an authority in marine law, navigation and investigation, according to the department. Silbereisen is a licensed U.S. Merchant Marine Officer and a Master of Steam or Motor Vessel rated at 100 tosn.

Silbereisen has been cited for his work many times including in 1991 while assigned to the Patrol Division, he single-handedly captured a prolific burglar who had been targeting the back country.

In 1997 he was commended for his actions in a joint investigation between the FBI and the Greenwich Police department which resulted in the apprehension of several career criminals.

During his marine division assignment, Silbereisen participated in a mutual aid call to New York Harbor on Sept. 11, 2001. He captained Greenwich Police Boat # 124 and he and several other officers helped evacuate lower Manhattan after the attack on the World Trade Center.

In 2002 he was commended for his action in the largest boat rescue operation on the Long Island Sound when the Greenwich Ferry “Island Beach” ran aground and 149 passengers had to be transferred from the damaged vessel to land.

"Peter was instrumental in not only the physical rescue of our citizens on the water but he contributed to much of the back office planning that takes place.  Peter assisted in the design, purchase, as well as rehabilitating one of the police boats,” said Heavey.