Yesterday we hosted a luncheon at headquarters for our retirees. We had a nice turnout, and I think everyone had a good time. The group includes several people whose service dates back into the 1950's, such as Capt. Lowell Sellmeyer, and Lt. Bill Satterthwaite.
Although it was primarily a social event, I gave a short talk to show them some of the new developments in policing. When you stop to think about it, some of the changes have been pretty dramatic. They creep up on you over time, so you may not realize it. I told them that I had not been to the Records Unit to look at a report a single time this year: all the case files and reports are available at your desk on your computer. I showed them a mugshot of a suspect that every one of us knows, and explained that all those, too, are at your fingertips. I wonder what the detectives in the group were thinking when I created a suspect list just by entering a few parameters.
At the core, though, policing is the same today as when they were all rookies. The critical skill of connecting with people, and the characteristics of compassion, ethics, humor, and dedication still define excellent police officers. Our 2009 retirees, Ofc. Marlan Hohnstein, Sgt. Roger Schmidt, Ofc. Sid Yardley, and Ofc. Mike Engel will be joined by Capt. Dennis Duckworth, who punches the clock for the last time today, about right now. You would be hard pressed to find a group of police officers who have exemplified those characteristics more than these. We wish them all well in their next careers.
The retirees of 2009 certainly are an outstanding group. Good luck to them in their new endeavors. They will be missed.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the retirees, especially Dennis Duckworth with whom I graduated from High School. At least I'm pretty sure he's the same Dennis. If not, congratulations still stand. Unfortunately, I still have a few years before retirement. I'm getting a taste of it now though, as I'm off from work for several weeks (at least) due to the surgery I had on my wrist yesterday. (A proximal row carpectomy, or removal of the three bones closest to the lower arm bones, in case you don't speak medicalese.)
ReplyDeleteI may be retired by the time I finish typing this post with one hand.
.....and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.
ReplyDeleteA lot of names from the past!!! I just celebrated 30 years at my "new" career. Seems like yesterday that Danko, Duckworth, and you were rookies and I was asking Satterthwaite for permission to go Code 3 to some wreck. Best wishes to all.
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I don't personally "know" any of you (as I am one of the non-lpd readers...) But... CONGRATULATIONS. Thank you for your years of service to our community. You, and those not yet retired, are appreciated. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI can, without a doubt, say that each of the 2009 retirees were outstanding mentors to all of us in the LPD family and will be sorely missed. Their work ethic and dedication to excellence continues to show itself in the performance of officers 'raised' following their example. Take care friends; Don't be strangers.
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