When Pat Ford reflects on his 30 years at the Emporia Police Department, his most fond moments are of his time serving on the street patrol.
Ford retired Friday after serving 30 years at the department. He’s served in several different capacities in the police department, but had the most fun working the streets, he said.
“That’s where the real work gets done,” he said Friday while waiting for his retirement reception to start. “I loved being out with the officers. We take care of each other. This community should realize they have some wonderful people out there. They care for them. They are the first ones out there when you call for help.”
Ford entered the department in January 1978 as a reserve officer. He started full-time in October 1978. Ford was working for a filling station at the time he got a job at the Emporia Police Department, he said. He played on a softball team with some police officers who said the department was hiring.
“I needed a job,” he said.
Over the years, Ford has served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, detective, lieutenant in patrol, administrative lieutenant and most recently as a lieutenant in investigations. Ford decided to retire after a shoulder injury wasn’t healing properly. He decided it was just time, he said.
“It’s something that I wasn’t really planning on so early,” he said. “But it’s happening and you go on. And I think I’m going to enjoy not working.”
Technology is the major change Ford experienced during his time at the department.
“When I first started, the cars had two switches: one for the lights and one for the sirens,” Ford said. “Now you almost have to take a month-long (course) to know how to run all this.”
While street patrol was one of Ford’s favorite areas, he enjoyed all of it.
“I enjoyed every aspect of what I did,” he said. “I got to work cases that were fun to work.”
Ford said during his retirement he hopes to play golf when his shoulder heals properly. He also will spend more time at home with his family. Ford and his wife, Anita, have a son Alec, who’s a sophomore in high school; a son, Sean, who’s in the eight grade and a daughter Katy, who’s 25.
After the retirement reception, Emporia Deputy Police Chief Mike Williams said he was sorry to see Ford go out of the department with an injury.
“I would like to have him back,” Williams said. “You can’t find a better individual. He’s a patient, mild guy. To go 30 years is a milestone in law enforcement...”
Comments
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Posted by navywife (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We will miss you Fordman!!
Posted by jayhawker (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pat Ford was one of the most professional police officers that I have ever met. When someone retires, it is normal and proper to say nice things about that person. In Pat's case, it is all, and more, true. Good luck, Pat, and thank you for your service.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Fordman, enjoy yourself and thanks.
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