Hail to a Retiring Chief A.J.

Hail to a Retiring Chief A.J.

By Carina Elgin

If Middleburg had a “Nicest Guy” award, Middleburg Police Chief A.J. Panebianco, surely would be the unanimous winner. He’d also qualify for “Most Professional” or “Having Made the Biggest Positive Impact” on the small town. Soon he’ll also be “Most Missed,” when he retires on May 1, leaving some very hard-to-fill shiny black shoes.

Retiring Middleburg Chief of Police A.J. Panebianco and his granddaughter Bella.

When Panebianco, affectionately known as “Chief A.J.,” came to Middleburg in 2012 to apply for the job, he had risen from patrolman to chief in Buena Vista, VA, and worked in Warsaw and Louisa. He also had never heard of the small town on the fringe of Northern Virginia.

“Like many others who come to Middleburg for the first time, I fell in love,” he said. “I wanted the job so bad, but there was a lot of competition. I told the Town Council that they wanted me, but not because I would raise money through enforcement, but because I would make this a community police force.”

In over a decade, Panebianco has succeeded on both fronts.

Early on he was often seen feeding quarters into parking meters instead of issuing tickets. He and his officers have become a beloved part of the community, frequently walking the streets and visiting with shopkeepers, residents and tourists.

They organize a summer National Night Out of fun and food, the better to ontinue to “connect and build positive relationships.” He and his small force go to the schools for “Breaking Bread” to have lunch and chat with the kids so they’d be seen as "approachable."

Out there every day, they know the people, and their dogs.

Panebianco noted that when police visit from other parts of Virginia, they marvel at all the people who say hello by name, shake his hand or high five him.

“This community is different then anywhere else in the state,” he added. And as much as folks in and around town will miss him, he’ll miss them, as well.

“Middleburg is such a unique community,” he said. “I was offered more money other places, but you can’t buy the loyalty there is here. I’ve truly never been happier. I believe I was the right chief at the right time. Iit was a perfect blend that we both needed. It made it magical. There hasn’t been a single morning on this job that I woke up and didn’t want to go to work.”

Retirement won’t slow him down. He’ll be remodeling a recently purchased North Carolina beach house and plans to spend more time with family, including his three-year-old granddaughter, Bella, and his German Shepherd, Gracie. He’ll continue his passion for older cars, like his current Camaro convertible, and he’ll keep on playing poker, having competed in the World Series of Poker every year since 2006.

And who will try to fill those shiny black shoes?

Panebianco said the town will soon post a job vacancy announcement. He’s also also been mentoring Lieutenant Shaun Jones, to give him “the best opportunity to be the right fit.”

In the two years since he arrived, Jones also has made a huge impact on the community, and many are rooting for him to become the next chief.

Panebianco plans to come back and visit. After working so many Christmas parades, he said he’d love to actually watch one. The community will surely embrace the chance to celebrate him, as well as Santa Claus.