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YPD officer says goodbye after 34 years
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
He was never officially on the rolls of the department, but officer “Paul LaRusso” made a significant impact in the 1980s and 1990s working a South Side beat.
Thursday, half of that officer retired.
Yes, half.
Officer Terry Russo was feted by his colleagues at a party in the department’s roll-call room on his last day on the force after serving 34 years.
Russo has worked mainly patrol on the South and West sides and also worked narcotics investigations for several years.
With his partner, Bob Patton, in Car 205 on the South Side and working narcotics they were known collectively by the residents on their beat as “Paul LaRusso.”
“They thought we were one guy,” Patton said.
Patton, who still works for the department and is assigned to drug investigations for the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, said Russo was such a good person in addition to being an officer that people on the street still ask about him.
“I still have sources that call me and ask about him,” Patton said.
Patton said that is not surprising because of the way Russo always conducted himself whenever he was working.
“He had great instincts and common sense, and he had a way to deal with people to put them at ease,” Patton said. “He could de-escalate a problem just by talking to people.” Russo said dealing with people is the most important thing a young police officer has to learn.
“To survive in this job, you have to treat people fairly and kindly,” Russo said.
In fact, it was working with people that got Russo interested in being a police officer. He studied criminal justice for two years at Bowling Green State University and two years at Youngstown State University, joining the department in November 1981 after getting his degree.
“I just thought it was a fascinating job to work with the public,” Russo said.
Officer Anthony Tulipano, who works an East Side beat, said Russo is always natural and calm, which helps him deal with the public and stressful situations.
“It’s just his ability to be who he is,” Tulipano said. Laughing, he said, “He never has his hair messed up. He never has a hair out of place.”
Chief Robin Lees said Russo is a great example to the department’s younger officers who are just starting because of his flexibility in working different assignments and his professionalism.
“He does the job every day, and he’s good at talking to people,” Lees said.
Russo, a native of the East Side who graduated from Canfield High School, said he does not have any elaborate plans for his retirement.
“I’m just going to sit back and relax,” Russo said.