The Garden City Telegram
NEW E-Edition!
Subscription
Required
Add Your Comment | Read (0) Comments
Lane County Sheriff retiring after 34 years of service
Published 5/1/2010 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
Lane County Sheriff Don Wilson says in law enforcement, people saying you've done a good job is rare.
1
Wilson
In his 34 years serving Lane County as a deputy, then sheriff, Wilson says it's happened just a few times.
Wilson, who has served as the sheriff since 1985, will retire at the end of May.
During his time in Lane County, Wilson said he's dealt with many cases — some with positive endings, and some with tragic ones.
"Fatality accidents ... you never get used to those. If it ever gets to the point it doesn't bother (a law official), that's when it's time to move onto something else," he said.
Wilson said he never got used to those tragedies, which were usually accidents that involved community members. And in a county of roughly 1,700 people, Wilson said he knows just about everyone.
In his retirement, Wilson said he plans to work on projects around the house with his wife Karen, maybe find another job, or possibly relocate. Although Wilson isn't sure of his plans, he said he was sure that now is the right time to retire.
Sheriff elections will be in 2012 and the Republican Committee is taking applications for the position. Wilson said they will then vote on a name and submit it to the governor.
Wilson is originally from Hepler, in Bourbon County. After serving in the Marine Corps, Wilson took a job at Bruce's Marble and Granite Works in Ft. Scott.
He said Paul Marsteller, the former Lane County Sheriff, obtained Wilson's information from an acquaintance.
Wilson said Marsteller called him up and asked if he was interested in the job. Wilson came to Lane County, Marsteller showed him around, then when Wilson returned to Ft. Scott he packed up a U-Haul and headed to Lane County for the deputy position.
He said he took the job because working in law enforcement was always something he'd wanted to do. From a young age, Wilson's favorite TV shows included "Adam 12," a 1960s show about two LAPD officers.
Wilson said he became sheriff in 1985 after Marsteller retired. Marsteller asked that all deputies ran for sheriff, and Wilson said he happened to win.
For Wilson, what has kept him in the sheriff's office for 25 years has been the people of Lane County and the law officials in the sheriff's office. He said he knows more about the people of Lane County than in his hometown.
"What I always enjoyed the most was helping people. The list can go on forever. A lot of things happened here, both good and bad, but we always worked through it. The people have been real good to me," he said.
Wilson said working in law enforcement was fulfilling, and exactly how he wanted to spend his career.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've really enjoyed it, and I'll miss the people," Wilson said.
Found 0 comment(s)!