Q: How long have you been in law enforcement and with the HPD?
A: I started with Hamilton PD in August of 1984. Prior to that I was with Warren County Sheriff's Office from 1980 to 1982 and Miami Township PD in Clermont County from May of 1982 to August of 1984.
Q: What are some of the more memorable cases you've been involved with?
A: Over my career there have been a lot. Sadly, most of the most memorable have been the more serious, some of which were very troubling. Sadly, police officers and firefighters are not called to homes, businesses or other locations to see the good things going on. We are called to the family fights, the accidents, the deaths. Many cases are carried with us for a long time, and internally, you have to guard against taking it home or into your "outside life." Unfortunately, due to this protective shell, police officers are misconceived as cold or distant.
Probably the most memorable is the Tina Mott case. Det. Jim Nugent and I worked that for over a year where we were ultimately able to get a confession from her killer and recover her remains. The sad part is that her son, who was less than a year old when she was killed, never got to know his mother, and will live with the knowledge that his father killed his mother. There have also been good times too. It is like playing golf, in 18 holes you have 17 bad holes but that one good shot makes you come back again. The good things make the job worth it, to know that you are in a position to help.
Q: What has changed over the years in law enforcement?
A: Without a doubt technology. Computerization and immediate availability of records, DNA and other evidence testing. Also the people we have are more highly educated. I have also seen more expectations from our citizens due to TV, most of which is unrealistic. On TV any crime can be solved in 30 minutes and every police department has multimillion dollar labs with scene analysts standing there waiting to run tests to identify suspects.
Q: Is there one particular case or moment that sticks out in your career?
A: Early in my career I arrested a man for driving under the influence. Most people don't thank you when you arrest them. At the time of the arrest, I was not spoken to kindly. About a year later, I got a letter at work. It was a combination apology and thank you for making him realize that he needed to make changes in his life. He had a small child and a wife and was letting drinking rule his life. At the time he wrote me the letter he had been clean for over a year and said in the letter that he had repaired his relationship with his family and was awaiting the birth of a second child. Being a younger officer it made me realize that we really are not just there to enforce laws but can positively affect lives by doing our jobs fairly.
Q: Why did you decide to retire now?
A: I don't really want to. I love what I am doing, but the state retirement system has maximum time limits and I hit that later this year. The department is undergoing a lot of staffing and assignment changes and it made sense to retire a few months earlier than the mandatory so all the changes could be done at one time, to create less disruption for the department.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: At this time, my short-term plans are to visit my daughters who are both U.S. Air Force officers and are assigned to bases around the U.S. I intend to visit them, and then relax for a little bit. I will eventually find something to do, but want to take some time first.
Q: Your family has been very important to you, do they support your decision to retire?
A: My family has supported me my entire career. Due to working in a profession that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, like many professions I have missed many birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. My family has been outstanding.
Q: Any regrets?
A: My biggest regret is that I have to retire. I truly love what I do and look forward to coming to work. My biggest regret is having to leave now. For my first 29 years, Hamilton was pretty much a static city. In the last couple of years, Hamilton has started to see significant changes. Last night I was driving through town and seeing all the changes; I realized this is just a start. I wish I could still be here to see the changes that are coming and be an active part of the future.
Q: What message do you have for those who will try to fill your shoes?
A: Enjoy work. Don't view being a police officer as a job; it is profession where you positively can help people. Though it is a cliché our job is to serve and protect, it cannot just be a paycheck, it has to be a devotion.
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