COLONIE After 42 years on the force and 12 years at the helm of the Colonie Police Department, Police Chief Steve Heider retired in June at the age of 61, culminating a long career that began when he joined the force as a dispatcher at the age of 19.
A genial and, by all accounts, popular administrator, Heider told reporters at his going away party at the Desmond Hotel in June that he “forgot” to retire after 20 years, and then after 40. But, he said, “At some point, it’s time to move on and let others move up.” “I’ve been blessed,” Heider told the