Another retirement

A surprising number of classmates went into law enforcement after graduation. Now another retirement has been announced.

Courier Press, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Monday, June 4, 2007, Page A-4, Local News

Randy Schmidt retires from PdC Police Department after 34 years

By Sandy Vold

Randy Schmidt, actually Sergeant Randy Schmidt until 1:30 p.m. May
31 when he completed his final shift with the Prairie du Chien Police Department, is not a man to brag of his abilities and accomplishments. Nevertheless, he will be greatly missed by the rest of the department after serving the city for 34 years.
Said Police Chief Mike King of Schmidt's retirement: "It's the end of an era. He's been the face of the police department longer than anyone. I'm glad that he's retiring and will have time to enjoy life, but I'm not glad to see him go."
Patty Yager, administrative assistant for the department, said his knowledge and expertise will be missed. "I'll be calling him at home for a long time. He knows everything and everybody. All I have to do is say, 'You know that guy who drives a green car,' and he'll know who I'm talking about."
Schmidt began his career right out of college in 1973. He had just received his degree in criminal justice at UW-Platteville when he came to work for the city. Over the years he has seen changes, but the biggest one, he said, is the increased paperwork. "It doesn't stop,"
he said, "it's the name of the game."
He considers himself fortunate to have had only three close calls in all his years with the police force. "They involved a scissors, a knife and a hand gun," he said, and he was not injured in any of the incidents. When asked what attracted him to police work and what kept him going, he quipped, "retirement," but then added more seriously, "the reward are that you serve and protect; you help your fellow man."
The seriousness of the work was relieved by the camaraderie of his co-workers--"we've had a lot of good times," he commented--and some of the unbelievably dumb things done by lawbreakers. He recalled one fellow some years back who had broken into 20-some places and stopped at the police department after each one. His pattern was so reliable it was easy to compile evidence and get a conviction.
Schmidt has no specific plans for his retirement. He has a cabin and some acreage, and plans to do some fishing and "catching up" on things.
He also has some advice for anyone contemplating a career in police work: "It's treated me well. Go for it, do the best you can and be compassionate to your fellow man."