Crime Scene

Paul Modica was sworn-in Tuesday night as the police chief of Spring Valley.

Modica’s wife, Beth, a Ramapo deputy town attorney and former prosecutor, held the bible for his oath-taking and pinned the chief’s insignia on her husband. Spring Valley Justice Alan Simon officiated.

Officers from the Spring Valley, Ramapo and other departments packed the Village Hall meeting room for the ceremony. Others attending the ceremony included Ramapo Police Chief Peter Brower, as well as Rockland District Attorney Michael Bongiorno, Sheriff James Kralik and Legislator Patrick Withers, D-Suffern.

After the ceremony, Modica treated for chicken wings and drinks in Suffern.

The Village Board voted to name Modica as the police chief at the end of June. He succeeded Anthony Furco, who retired after running the department for seven years and working more than two decades with the department.

Modica, 42, joined the Spring Valley Police Department in April 1988. He was promoted to sergeant in June 1999 and lieutenant in November 2002. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1987, serving in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91. Modica was raised in Ramapo, graduating from Suffern High School in 1982 and later Rockland Community College with an associate degree in criminal justice.