 |  |  | |
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
RPO Vern Ward (1980-1992)
King County Sheriff's Office, WA
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 Not quite a long career although the twelve years I worked as a commissioned reserve officer was quite satisfying and has stuck with me as a feeling of accomplishment. I had always looked up to law enforcement officers as someone to call on if I needed help, and this was a deciding factor in wanting to be part of a group of individuals that would be there to help fellow citizens in time of need. I learned quickly there was a lot more to the job.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
My career started at Washington State Reserve Police Academy near Seattle. I graduated in December 1980 and out of about 300 applicants, about fifty started the academy and only twenty of us graduated. I was assigned to Precinct Two in North King County and on my first night with an FTO, I had to draw my sidearm on an armed incident.
After I completed my training, I found a great partner (John Urquhart) who is now the current King County Sheriff in Washington State. After working together for eight years (mostly nights) we worked for about seven years working in a reserve Pro-Active (non-uniform) unit which we did for about four years working with drug enforcement, serving warrants, surveillance and other details which many regular officers did not get involved in. John and I were shot at once and worked a Green River Murders detail. The killer turned out to be Gary Ridgway who pleaded guilty to killing 49 women but later claimed he killed closer to 80 over two decades. After strangling them, he would dump their bodies in forested and overgrown areas in King County. Many of the Green River Killer's victims were prostitutes and transients.
For our work we received several letters recognizing our accomplishments. My partner went to work full time as a deputy and I was recalled to active duty for Desert Shield/Storm for two years. I retired 12 years later.
Since retiring I have worked as a Code Enforcement Officer for two small cities in North Idaho and I now volunteer with Law enforcement working in the COPS program for the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office in North Idaho.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 I served 30 years in the Navy, both active and in the reserves. I retired in 1995 as a Warrant Officer W3 Engineering Tech. I served from 1960 through 1995 advancing through the ranks from E-1 to E-7 and was commissioned as a Warrant Officer in 1987. I was recalled for Vietnam and again for Desert Shield/Storm serving on Staff Duty with IUWGONE.
 I served on four different ships and in the last twenty years I was attached to INSHORE UNDERSEA WARFARE Units 101 and Group Staff. Unit 101 is a hardware equipped component of the Navy's Force Protection Package, providing seaward security, surveillance and communication support for commanders operating in littoral areas worldwide. We lived in tents, wore camouflage uniforms and deployed all over the world.
At the same time from December 1980, I also served as a Reserve Police officer. So when I was not in a Navy uniform, I was a police officer working sixteen to twenty hours per week normally on weekends. I believe the strong discipline require in the military also influenced me in my performance and dedication to my law enforcement work which has stayed with me to this day.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
While working as a reserve officer with the King County Police ( Now Sheriff's Office), I did enjoy working a Pro-Active Unit and worked with my partner for nearly four years working drug enforcement, misdemeanor and felony cases including armed robbery and serving warrants. Many fights, many chases and sometimes many laughs.
One incident I recall is when my partner and I were working Pro-Active cruising a parking lot behind a topless joint North of Seattle. We spotted a person looking into several vehicles and checking the doors. We approached him and when we started checking his ID he took off. We chased him between several business and he disappeared. So we called for K9. As we were waiting for other officers the suspect ran toward the highway. My partner and I both spotted the suspect at the same time and gave chase.
After a short chase through traffic my partner and I both tackled the suspect at the same time. As it turned out the suspect was an escaped convict on the run from Oregon. That was our Atta boy for the day.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
A fellow officers funeral which I attended showed me just how sad this job can be for family, friends and fellow officers. Also just how dangerous the job can be.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 No badges or awards although several letters of commendation for job performance, catching a burglar in the act and finding out he was responsible for many others.
Another letter was for a our performance during a Green River Task Force detail. Just good old police work.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
Several persons. First my wife as she supported me working nights and weekends and never complained or ask me to "not go in" although she was worried about my safety. Dhe knew the reason I did the work.
 The second person was my partner who had a real knack for police work as he was not only a great investigator but also a great administrator. He is now the King County Sheriff.
Last but not least was my first Sargeant from the academy. Beard was a very impressive person who cared for all the officers and treated the reserve officers with the exact same respect as he did the regular officers.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
There was more than one occasion when my partner and I went out on a suspicious vehicle search at a church parking lot and we looked up to see our patrol car rolling across the parking lot with no one in it!
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
 Never judge a book by it's cover. I have learned to listen more closely and evaluate what I hear without taking much time in doing so. This has helped with law enforcement the military and in my civilian career of sales and business management.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
I have learned to respect others and deal with each person as an individual without pre-judgment based on previous experiences. aving that experience is a valuable tool which I use daily.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 Pay close attention to your senior officers, your FTO and keep your mouth shut while others are talking. You can learn a great deal by listening and watching those with more experience. Every officer has a wealth of knowledge and no two officers do everything the same.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
 I believe PTWS is great place to read about the experiences of others and has also helped me to recall my own experience. It provides the opportunity to find other ffficers you served with and rekindle old friendships.
|
| Share this Voices on:
  |
|
TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of Police Voices was supported by:
Police.Togetherweserved.com
For all current serving and veteran Police Officers, Together We Served is a secure, feature rich website enabling Officers to reconnect with lost Brothers and Sisters, share in the camaraderie of other Officers, network for professional purposes and to honor the service of all.
To join Police.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
| |
