Senior Lenox Police Officer William Colvin thanks retiring Chief Stephen O'Brien, telling him, "You always looked out for us, for our best interests," with Town Manager Jay Green looking on. The change of command ceremony at the new public safety complex on Friday attracted more than 100 onlookers.

LENOX — Emotions ran high Friday at a change of command ceremony as Stephen E. O’Brien signed off after nearly 21 years as this town's police chief and new Chief Mark L. Smith was sworn in.

More than 100 people, including O’Brien’s brother and recently retired Fire Chief Chris O'Brien, current and former Lenox police officers, and old friends from other police departments attended the Friday afternoon event. It was held at the new public safety complex at Stephen O’Brien’s request.

O’Brien, normally stoic, was especially moved when his daughter Claire, a senior at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, performed the national anthem. The two exchanged a warm embrace as her dad appeared to fight back tears.

Claire O'Brien, daughter of retiring Lenox Police Chief Stephen O'Brien, sings the national anthem at Friday's change of command ceremony. Father and daughter exchanged a warm hug following one of the event's emotional high points.

Others in the audience were also wiping in their eyes, especially at another high point when the Berkshire Regional Emergency Communications Center at the Sheriff’s Office, better known as “County Dispatch,” toned out a message thanking O'Brien for his 32 years of service to the Lenox Police Department.

"You took an oath to protect and serve, and you have fulfilled it, putting your life on the line to protect the citizens of Lenox," Royanne Hammond, the dispatcher said. "We thank you for your dedication, loyalty and leadership, we also thank you for your hard work and friendship over the years. We wish you a happy retirement. Chief Stephen O’Brien is now out of service, ending his tour of duty for the final time.”

A husky-voiced O’Brien responded with his cruiser number: “870 received. Thank you for everything.”

In addition to his advocacy and leadership for the $21 million public safety complex project, O’Brien is credited with recently expanding the Lenox police force to 12 full-time officers (plus the chief), establishing a school resource officer position and setting the stage for accreditation, a high-bar achievement for any department.

“It’s not an easy standard to achieve, based on policies, facilities, equipment and training… it means incredible integrity and professionalism,” Lenox Town Manager Jay Green said. “With Chief O’Brien’s leadership, we are well on our way to that, and this building is certainly a cornerstone of it.”

“This is an incredibly grateful community that is thankful for your commitment, dedication and professionalism that you have displayed over your 32-year career,” Green said. He called it a "privilege" to work with O'Brien and said he was "right to the end a consummate professional,” including a predawn phone call on Friday alerting Green to the fire at the Wagon Wheel Inn.

Officer William Colvin and Sgt. Michael Smith presented O’Brien with a plaque from the department patrolmen in recognition of his dedication, leadership, professionalism and service.

“You always looked out for us, our best interests, you were always there for us, and we appreciate that,” said Colvin, describing O’Brien as “one of my best friends.”

Green introduced Mark Smith, the new chief, who comes to Lenox after 10 years as police chief in North Brookfield. He was formerly police chief in Hinsdale for just over a year, starting in 2014.

New Police Chief Mark L. Smith and retiring Lenox Chief Stephen O'Brien during Friday's "change of command" ceremony at the town's new public safety complex. Smith later described "the incredible honor" of working alongside O'Brien during the previous two weeks of transition.

“His level of dedication, commitment and understanding what makes Lenox the community it is, is unquestionably present,” Green said of Smith. He predicted the new chief will match what O’Brien brought to the town.

“Folks here in Lenox should know that your police department and leadership will be in great hands with Chief Smith,” Green said.

Lenox Town Clerk Kerry Sullivan swears in Mark L. Smith as the town's new police chief on Friday, with Town Manager Jay Green looking.

After being sworn in by Town Clerk Kerry Sullivan, Smith saluted O’Brien as “a good solid human being. I never dreamt I’d have the honor and privilege to sit in the same seat he did, because to me he’s one of the best people in law enforcement I’ve ever met, and one of the best human beings I’ve ever met.”

Smith concluded by describing “the incredible honor of working beside you the past two weeks, and I won’t let you down.”

The new Lenox Police Chief Mark L. Smith, speaking at a Friday's change of command ceremony at the town's new public safety complex, described retiring Chief Stephen O'Brien as "one of the best people in law enforcement I’ve ever met, and one of the best human beings I’ve ever met.”

Before the ceremony, O’Brien, 55, told The Eagle that he would be visiting Dublin for a few days this week where his son Jack, a Georgetown University junior, is winding up a semester abroad at the University College of Dublin.

“There is no set in stone plan yet for what I’m going to do in retirement, but I’m still fairly young so I’ll have to do something,” O’Brien said. “I hope to relax and see how this change goes, and as I ease into the change, I will find something. Everything is an open possibility at this point. I’m a very system-oriented person, so I will have to find a whole new system, and that will take some time, a daily routine. I’m pretty structured.”