WHEREAS, Robert B. Ballentine, Jr., a native Philadelphian, was born June 17th, 1952; and
WHEREAS, On October 2, 1972, at the young age of twenty, Bob entered the Philadelphia Police Academy as a member of Academy Class # 228; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from the Philadelphia Police Academy, Bob began his first assignment protecting and serving the citizens of the City of Philadelphia in the 22nd District, at 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Bob continued to utilize his Academy training and hone his natural, instinctive investigatory talents while assigned to the Juvenile Aid Division; and
WHEREAS, Those talents were recognized on April 29, 1981, via a promotion, and from that date on, this dedicated civil servant became known as Detective Robert B. Ballentine, Jr., and was welcomed into his new assignment at Northwest Detectives, at Broad Street and Champlost Avenue; and
WHEREAS, On June 24, 1985, Detective Ballentine was transferred to the Homicide Unit, one of the most challenging assignments in the Police Department, where he pursued and brought to justice countless offenders, becoming the voice of the victims who were suddenly and often brutally denied their voice by the perpetrators of horrific crimes. Through Bob's efforts, many families of those victims found peace through justice, and Bob himself was honored with several Merit Awards and numerous Letters of Commendation for outstanding Police work; and
WHEREAS, In October, 2002, Bob began a further service to his fellow officers, being elected by them to the position of Recording Secretary of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 5,, and in October 2004, was elected again, this time to the position of Financial Secretary, an office he holds to this day; and
WHEREAS, On April 17, 2009, Detective Robert B. Ballentine, Jr., applied for a service pension with the Philadelphia Police Department, and was credited with an amazing thirty-six years, six months, and fifteen days of service to the citizens of the City of Philadelphia, thereby becoming a shining example of dedication and excellence for all members of the Police Department to follow; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes, honors, and celebrates Robert B. Ballentine, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to
Mr. Ballentine as evidence of the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
End