I have always been told you will know when it is time to step away from your career. After much thought and prayer, I have filed my intent to retire. I have worked in local law enforcement for more than 28 years now, just over seven years in the position of chief of police and a total of 30 years including my time in law enforcement in the military.
The team at Somerset Police Department has met every goal I hoped to achieve, and it is time I put my family first. I will continue to pray for God to show me the new path he has for me. I will take some time off before I begin to see what is out there. Ultimately, whatever my path is, I hope it will allow me to continue to work in some type of community service-oriented position. My heart has always been to serve the community and help others.
I want to thank my family (Carla, Skyler, Colson, Ava and Emerye) for the 30 years of sacrifices they made so I could chase and achieve my dream. Many have asked how my family survived my career in the military and law enforcement. The answer is that you pray for your family and marry a strong and amazing woman.
I would like to thank Mayor Keck for his continued friendship, mentoring and leadership. I have seen firsthand the sacrifices he makes for this community. I will be the first to admit we do not always agree on every position or decision, but I can undoubtedly say Mayor Keck has a good heart and a sincere desire to make Somerset and Pulaski County a better place for future generations.
I would also like to thank the members of the Somerset City Council. Seven years ago, you unanimously selected me as your chief of police. I will always be grateful for the support you have given to the Somerset Police Department during my tenure. And to the team at the City of Somerset, thank you for your friendship and for supporting SPD in so many ways. You truly are, as Mayor Keck often says, the best team in the state.
None of SPD’s many accomplishments would have happened without the men and women who serve the department. I could not be prouder or more honored to have served you. Thank you for the sacrifices you make for our community. Because we live in such a great city, sometimes people do not realize the dangers our officers face. But when someone calls 911 because they hear a bump in the night, our officers do not get to call someone else to check it out. They must have the bravery to go, the willingness to put themselves in harm’s way in service to others. There are few careers more honorable.
I had two main goals as your chief: To return SPD to the pinnacle of law enforcement and bring a new level of community-oriented policing to Somerset. Together, we achieved each of these goals. The Somerset Police Department is known again as a leading professional agency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is more involved with the community than it has ever been.
The future of this department is bright. That is why I am at peace with stepping away.
I would also like to thank all the first responders in Somerset and Pulaski County. Just like the officers of SPD, each of you make sacrifices for the betterment of this community. Please know what you do matters, is appreciated and I hope all of you continue to serve while making a difference.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving.” I pledge to keep moving. I am one who believes each of us has an obligation to go out and make a difference in our community. We owe it to our children to leave Somerset and Pulaski County better than we found it. So please, in 2024 make a resolution to do what you can to help. I will continue to do so, just in a new and different way.
