More than 300 co-workers and friends joined Sheriff's Capt. Mike Biaggini and his family Saturday for a retirement party where he was saluted as a "cop's cop" and "Douglas County's favorite son."
Biaggini, 55, is in the end stages of colon cancer, and the party at the Carson Valley Inn was an opportunity for old friends to visit and share stories about his 28 years as a Douglas County law enforcement officer.
Sheriff Ron Pierini presented Biaggini with the distinguished service medal.
"This is not intended to recognize long years of service, but what he did above and beyond the normal requirements," Pierini said.
The sheriff used the opportunity to poke fun at Biaggini's expensive tastes.
"Over the years, Mike liked to spend a lot of money," Pierini said.
Biaggini wanted an aerosquadron or a marine unit for the department.
"Well, Mike, I got you a helicopter," Pierini said, holding up a toy model. "It's got a badge, and your name on it."
Pierini listed the many jobs Biaggini held in the department after he was hired in 1981, working in every division, serving as the county's coroner, defense tactics trainer, sniper, professional standards, graduate of the FBI academy, creating the department's honor guard.
"This agency is very proud today," Pierini said. "You've made such a huge impact on our community."
He presented Mary Biaggini with a bouquet of red roses.
"I've always said our officers wouldn't be able to do what they do without support from the ones who really count. Mary, this is to thank you for all the missing hours and days Mike wasn't home because he was working for us."
Dick Clark, executive director of the Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy and a long-time law enforcement officer, said it was an honor to participate in the "celebration of Douglas County's favorite son, Mike Biaggini."
"None of us knows how much time we have. How wonderful it is to have this opportunity to share this celebration of Mike's life and let him know in person how much we love and appreciate him," Clark said.
He said Biaggini is a role model for him and law enforcement officers across Nevada.
"We love you, and we will never forget the important role you played in our lives," he said.
Biaggini received honors from many of the departments within the sheriff's office he has managed over the years including special tactics, honor guard and the crisis negotiation team.
"In the years to come, I hope we live up to the example you set for all of us," said Deputy Greg Hubbard of the crisis negotiation team.
Jim Valentine, representing Douglas Pop Warner football, said Biaggini had been an integral part of the program for the last 10 years, including serving as football commissioner.
"He's faced bullets as a sheriff's officer, and the ire of parents living vicariously through their children in Pop Warner. I don't know which was more dangerous," Valentine said.
But, he said, Biaggini also faced down his lengthy illness which inspired Pop Warner to create a courage award named after the ailing captain.
He presented Biaggini with the first award Saturday.
"That spirit of inspiring calm while under fire will continue with others for years to come," Valentine said.
Biaggini was diagnosed in April 2001 with colon cancer. In and out of remission several times, he continued to work at the sheriff's office with brief interruptions for treatment in California.
Last October, Biaggini was advised the cancer was no longer treatable, and he elected to discontinue chemotherapy and radiation, deciding to let the disease run its course.
In December, after learning of an alternative treatment, Biaggini had hoped to be healthy enough to travel to the Bahamas. But he suffered another setback toward the end of the year, and spent two weeks hospitalized in San Francisco before he returned home last week.
In an e-mail to friends, Biaggini said he wasn't healthy enough for the trip and the disease was in its end stages.
Between speakers, dozens of people lined up to greet the Biagginis and their sons Michael, 8, and Nick, a corpsman at Camp Pendleton.
The young Marine received a standing ovation - one of several during the luncheon - after it was announced he would be heading back to continue his training after the party.
Every seat was filled in the Shannon Ballroom at CVI and people stood along the walls. When the retirement party was announced, 250 tickets were snapped up within days.
Former sheriff's Capt. Steve Orr, now chief of police in Lewiston, Idaho, said 1,000 people would have turned out for the celebration if there was room.
"I started in 1981 shortly after Mike. We worked together in patrol, investigations, SWAT, field training," Orr said.
"I've had the opportunity to be in combat with some of the bravest men in the world. I've spent 29 years in law enforcement with the bravest men and women I know. But, without reservation, Mike Biaggini is the most courageous, valiant person I have ever known. His example will never be forgotten. I hope I have the same dignity and courage some day," Orr said.
Tom Connor of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department said Biaggini is "a cop's cop," a term indicating honor and respect from his peers.
"You will be sorely missed," Connor said. "I wish you the best and hope to see you on the other side."
Sheriff's Capt. Dave Aymami thanked the community for their support.
"Mike's had a great time," Aymami said. "This has been a great day."
"This is beyond our wildest imagination," Mary Biaggini said of the turnout.
