Longest Serving Wilmington police chief’s family host visitation after his death
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -Members from the community and law enforcement gathered at the Wilmington Funeral Chapel to visit the family of the longest serving Wilmington police chief Thursday.
Visitors were welcomed to a piper, honor guards and images of former Police Chief Darrell Bruestle projected on the wall.
One by one took turns to give their condolences to his wife Kaye- the line wrapped around the hallway – all expressing how much they will miss him.
Bruestle’s career spanned 48 years in law enforcement – serving as Wilmington police chief for 16 of those years.
His family said he impacted many lives in the community, the Wilmington Police Department, and the Winter Park Presbyterian Church.
Chelsea Long and Maddy O’Neal told WWAY their grandfather lived a full life, and they shared what they will miss the most about him.
“Just seeing his face and being able to talk to him when I go, because I live two hours away and I don’t get to see him a lot but when I do it’s an amazing experience, getting to hear from him,” said O’Neal
“I’ve had 35 years with my grandfather, honestly it just wouldn’t have been enough,” said Long. “I am just going to miss how deeply he loved , and loved all of us really, really deeply.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to honor the memory of Bruestle by considering a memorial to the Winter Park Presbyterian Church or the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Lifecare.
