Cop retires proud of his firsts

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

June 4, 2009

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL The Commercial-News Thu Jun 04, 2009, 12:15 PM CDT

DANVILLE — For Bob Richard, a lot of firsts can be connected — both personally and professionally — with his work as a Danville police officer.

It was his first job coming out of school, hired originally as a cadet before being sworn in as an officer in 1976.

He was involved in the first police investigation to call upon the use of DNA evidence and both Richard and police Deputy Director Doug Miller were the first officers in Danville to chemically test cannabis to alleviate state crime lab case loads. Richard also very much involved in the computerization of the department’s records department.

Richard’s string of firsts with the city police ended this week as the 30-plus-year member of the force retired to take on a new job as executive director of the Danville Public Schools Foundation. He began his new position Tuesday.

Richard worked a majority of his career on the administrative side of the department, a portion at which he excelled. He added he was fortunate, overall, to get the chance to work in almost all aspects of the department.

Working more than 30 years as a police officer, however, wasn’t Richard’s goal while in school. In fact, he planned on becoming a draftsman while attending North Ridge Middle School. But when he had to write a report about working as an adult, being a draftsman didn’t seem exciting enough. So he picked his older brother’s goal at the time — police officer.

Richard’s report received attention from the police chief at the time, and he joined a new police Explorer post for four years. That snowballed into becoming an officer and erased his thoughts of becoming a draftsman.

“It wouldn’t have been half as much fun as being a policeman,” he said. “It has got to be the greatest job in the world.”

He said few jobs actually allow you to go home at night saying you’ve helped out your city.

“It’s the one career that when you get down, you can really say I’ve made a difference in community,” he said.

The retirement of Richard leaves a hole in the administrative level of the police division of the Department of Public Safety, with Miller as the only remaining deputy director.

According to Richard, few of the accomplishments he attained in his career came without help, ranging from his former chiefs to the police officers and shift commanders currently on staff.

“They are the ones that keep the streets safe and working toward our mission to make sure Danville is a great place to live and a great community to pursue and education,” he said. “I give them all the credit. I was a support person for them throughout the years.”

Text Only

Local News

Community Calendar
February 13, 2012
Quinn defends Ill. after Caterpillar CEO blasts jobs climate
Gov. Pat Quinn defended the state’s business climate Sunday after the head of Caterpillar Inc. blasted state political leaders in a published column for not doing enough to grow business and jobs in Illinois.

February 12, 2012
Seed-starting tips provided
February 12, 2012
Veteran to discuss history
February 12, 2012
Schools to compete in bee
February 12, 2012
County sees increase in sexually transmitted diseases
The Vermilion County Health Department took a hit in the summer of 2010 when a large number of programs offered through state grants were eliminated because of slow-moving funding.

February 12, 2012
Health officials seek public’s opinion
Determining the health issues local residents deem important will be the focus of an upcoming meeting in Danville.

February 12, 2012
Goldendoodles, family a perfect match
Chris and Kelli Pinkerton have always liked the friendly, personable golden retrievers, except for the shedding.

February 12, 2012 3 Photos
Songwriter: Time to slow down
After nearly a lifetime in the country-music business, Bob Payne has earned plenty of awards and rewards — but not the monetary kind.

February 12, 2012 1 Photo
Lincoln remains in the spotlight
Since 2002, the Papers of Abraham Lincoln has been actively obtaining images of every document by or to Abraham Lincoln.

February 12, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Cop retires proud of his firsts

Site Map

Contact Us