On Monday, the flashing road sign, just before the Causeway dips into Ship Bottom, said it all: “Thank you Chief Paul Sharkey for years of service to the seaside borough at the entrance to Long Beach Island.” After more than two decades at the helm of the borough’s police department, Sharkey retired – this time for real.  

As the story goes, the police chief, who was one of the youngest ever when he assumed control of the Ship Bottom Police Department more than two decades ago, submitted his…