SPRINGFIELD tWP.: After retiring as township police chief in 2002, Carl “Frank” Blasdel, who held the job longer than anyone else in the department’s 52-year history, came back to work as a part-time detective.Actually, Blasdel has returned twice to the department since he “retired” after 16 years at the helm.Blasdel’s photo hangs in the police station lobby, along with those of Springfield’s seven other chiefs. The wall of photos and the men they represent will be honored at a dedication service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Springfield Township Hall, 2459 Canfield Road. The event is open to the public.Blasdel, who came back to the township as a part-time detective in 2004, took a leave of absence two years later to do a 14-month stint in Afghanistan, mentoring police commanders for the Afghan government. Accompanied by two guards for most of his duty, Blasdel taught leadership skills and how to evaluate emergencies in four provinces.“Because Vietnam and 30 years of police work wasn’t dangerous enough,” chided Chief John Smith, whom Blasdel hired as a reserve officer in 1989. “Next time he leaves, we’re going to put a pet locator chip on him so we can find him again.” Blasdel, trim at 64, said running continues to be his exercise of choice, even though a knee injury suffered in Afghanistan and subsequent surgery have curtailed his hobby. He enjoys sitting in the detective chair as much as he enjoyed taking over as chief in 1986. He and his wife of 42 years, Nancy, have three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Before he was hurt, Blasdel regularly ran the 10 miles from his home in the North Hill area of Akron to work and back.Smith credited Blasdel with being among the first Summit County police chiefs to start the Metro SWAT team and attending the first DARE (Drug Abuse Reinforcement Education) class. He was also the first chief to teach a DARE class in the area.“When I started here, most of Arlington Road was farmland,” he said.He takes a lot of chiding from fellow officers about his age and his full head of white hair.“We like to say he’s been around not since the Last Supper, but since the first supper,” joked Detective Joe Holsopple, who was also hired by Blasdel.“He’s responsible for all of us.” Blasdel said he realized early on that Smith was chief material and sent him to command school for three months at the State Highway Patrol academy.“I knew he would be a chief someday because of his demeanor,” Blasdel said.Officers decided to honor the history of the department and their chiefs and give the lobby more of a police-related character, said Officer Perry Linaburg.“We wanted to recognize the 52 years of strong leadership we’ve had,” he said.Six of the surviving chiefs are expected to be on hand for the dedication. Retired chiefs include Walter F. “Bud” Nehrenz (1979-1980), James Bader (1980-1986), Blasdel (1986-2002), David Hoover (2002-2006), Garry L. Moneypenny (2006-2007) and current Chief John A. Smith, who was appointed in 2007.The township’s first two chiefs, C.B. Wilkinson (1960-1965), and Jack Rife (1965-1979), are deceased.For information about the dedication, contact the Springfield Police Department at 330-784-1609.Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.