Four MPD officers were congratulated and celebrated during a combined retirement party on January 10th, 2019:
School Resource Officer Jerry Brown is retiring after 20 years. He recalled enjoying being present with the students at Marion Community Schools where he served for 3 ½ years. Brown will go on to become a police officer for the new MGH Police Dept. He said being a police officer was what he’s wanted to do since he was a boy. He said he’ll undoubtedly miss working as an SRO. “In speaking with several of his students and school employees, he made a valuable impact with them. They were very sad to see him go as are we.” — Chief Angela Haley
Capt. John Kauffman is also retiring after 20 years. He has worked extensively in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) with focus on drug investigations. Kauffman has also worked as a supervisor including Capt. of Day Shift. Kauffman is remaining in law enforcement and will become Chief Investigator for the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office. Kauffman said he will miss MPD, adding it was like a second home. “I would give him any task and he would do it. He was a good mentor, always giving good advice. He’s a good guy…one of the best.” — Chief Angela Haley
Sgt. Eric Randle is retiring after 32 years. He worked in CID for many years but really enjoyed going back on the road talking to people and being with the community. He will continue his part-time job working security at Ivy Tech. Randle expressed how proud he is of the department, noting it continues to get better. He added that he’ll miss his co-workers. “Sgt. Randle is good-hearted, unselfish, and relatable to many people from many walks of life. He would help anybody with anything. I can’t imagine the department without a Randle, considering he comes from a family of good police officers.” Chief Angela Haley
Sgt. Ben Williams is retiring after 24 years. He served as a Detective Sgt. for many years. He was not present for the party as he is currently training in Fort Wayne for a new job. “He always came to work with a joke and a positive outlook. His experience, methodical way of policing, and leadership with conviction will be missed.” – Chief Angela Haley