It was the last Sunday afternoon in November, but Carnegie's police secretary was not relaxing.

Sophie Popivchak was already worrying about the next day, when she will would have to deal with a large stack of police reports from the weekend and compile the department's monthly crime activity report for the state.

	Tony Tye/Post-Gazette Sophie Popivchak with current chief, Jeff Harbin. Click photo for larger image.

Three days later, when a windstorm knocked out power to portions of the borough, she would field calls from residents herself rather than bothering the chief or police officers. In one instance when a mother and baby were stuck in a cold house because the electric garage door opener was inoperable without power, Popivchak located an officer to drive them to a warmer location.

It's this that type of concern and devotion that will make Popivchak's Jan. 4 retirement as Carnegie's the first police secretary in its the borough's 110-year history a difficult call for the department and the town.

In her 35 years, she has worked with four police chiefs, numerous police officers and countless residents.

"She represents the type of loyal employee every boss would like to have," said Council President Dorothy Kelly.

"They'll never find another Sophie," agreed Joann Fischio, secretary to Crafton District Justice Dennis Joyce, who hears Carnegie arrests and disputes in his courtroom. "We're going to miss her so much. She'd do anything in the world for you."

Fischio went on to suggest that Popivchak, 77, is a mother hen to the department, as well as its secretary.

"It's like [the police officers] are all her kids," she said.

That explains why, when Popivchak was off sick a few months ago, Carnegie police officers sent her a get-well card signed, "Your 12 babies."

She loved it.

If Popivchak adds a dose of maternal instinct to her job, it's because she comes by it naturally.

"The police culture is rather unique," said Police Chief Jeffrey Harbin. "When police are on the outside, they have this persona they have to live up to. But if you're on the inside, you know all their joys, hopes, tears and disappointments."

Popivchak admits to spoiling her officers, but she says they look out for her, too.

Sophie and the late Theodore "Con" Popivchak had three children. About the time her children were nearly grown, Popivchak underwent back surgery, which left her in a cast and walking with difficulty. Among those who provided moral support was her husband's cousin, the late Police Chief Steve Popivchak.

"I didn't think I'd ever walk well or have a life, but he kept coming up and encouraging me," she said, recalling how tough it was to walk across her front yard.

The exercise and encouragement paid off. In 1967 she took a job with Carnegie as a school crossing guard. It wasn't long before the borough asked Popivchak to expand her duties. The late Mayor Fred Pica made her a meter maid and soon she found herself recording and filing the tickets, too.

As the years passed, her work load increased, even including some field work after Chief Harry Smith took over. Popivchak sometimes accompanied police officers on drug raids to search apprehended females.

She describes her job then as "a little bit of everything, because they didn't have anybody."

In 1988, ex-wrestler Frank Holtz was named chief, a position he held until 1991. By the time Harbin was named chief in 1992, Popivchak's job had seen more transformation with the advent of computers. Computers were now a part of police operations, and Popivchak found herself with another new boss who immediately instituted strict departmental regulations.

But there was a wrinkle in this particular chief/secretary relationship because Popivchak and Harbin had known each other for years.Popivchak's son, Ted Jr., and Harbin were friends from kindergarten and the two often had hot dogs for lunch at the Popivchak house.

This combination of history and happenstance produced a relationship that Harbin likens to Edith and Archie Bunker of the popular 1970s "All in the Family" television sitcom. That is, though the two sometimes argue like cats and dogs, but underneath all of the noise is deep affection.

On a hectic Monday morning, Harbin might grouse "Where the hell have you been?" to which Popivchak fires back, "What the hell's the matter? I don't start till 8 a.m. and it's only 7:30."

But Popivchak also said the chief has been good to her.

"I enjoyed every minute I worked for him, even our fights, which don't mean anything."

Harbin applauds Popivchak for giving new recruits a grace period while they learn their jobs. He admits that he is not looking forward to Popivchak's departure, especially because she has been such a presence in his life.

"I just know that when she walks out that door, my life's gonna be a little less bright."

Who will step into that position has not been determined. Council could vote on Popivchak's replacement as early as its Tuesday meeting. The borough will host a retirement party for Popivchak next month. She plans to remain in Carnegie, where she hopes to resume her activities at Holy Trinity Church.

Oh, and she's already told police to give her a call if they need something.