By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

The City of Bucyrus welcomed two new officers to its police department Monday afternoon.

Bret Thomas and David Rowland officially became members of the Bucyrus Police Department at a swearing in ceremony in City Hall Monday. Chief of Police Dave Koepke proudly introduced his newest recruits to the officers, firefighters and members of the community that gathered in Council Chambers.

“It’s a big day for us,” said Koepke. “The last time I stood in this room was the retirement of Chief Teets and the retirement of Captain Beal.”

Koepke admitted that Teets’ and Beal’s years of experience were irreplaceable but he felt confident that Rowland and Thomas would fit into the department quite well.

Thomas is a veteran of the United States Army, ending his career as a sergeant. He had served in Egypt and Afghanistan. Thomas received the Combat Infantry badge, the Commendation Medal, the Afghan Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and earned the Airborne Medal.

Koepke noted Thomas’s “great amount of focus and determination.”

“He is definitely going to be an excellent addition to the Bucyrus Police Department with that kind of determination,” said Koepke.

Thomas came to Bucyrus from Maine. He is married to Ravae and they have a daughter, Paisley.

Rowland, hailing from Connecticut, was also a sergeant in the United States Army. He completed two tours in Iraq and has experience providing personal protective details. Rowland earned the Combat Action Badge, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and two Iraq Campaign Medals.

He is married to Judith and they have a three-year-old named Kenzi.

“He puts the mission ahead of himself and that’s something we desperately need in our community,” Koepke said.

“I like Bucyrus; it’s a small tight-knit community,” said Rowland. “It seems like it’s very friendly. Everyone, you know, it’s a good neighbor mentality and it’s just a nice change of pace for me. The city I come from is 50 times the size of this, you know, and nobody knows anybody over here. I’ve been here two weeks, people already know my name. It’s a nice change of pace.”

“I’m truly honored to be a part of the organization,” he added.

“And we’re truly honored to have both of you,” Mayor Roger Moore replied. “It’s a time we’ve anticipated for a long, long time and we hope to have many more officers coming after. Again, on the behalf of the City of Bucyrus, the administration, Bucyrus City Council, welcome. We’re your family and you’ll be ours.”

The addition of Rowland and Thomas to the force brings the department up to 16 officers. Though Koepke is happy about having Rowland and Thomas joining the Bucyrus Police Department, he noted that the department should have a staff of 21 officers. The department ideally should have six dispatchers and is currently operating with four.

“We’re overwhelmed with the work right now with only 16 officers,” Koepke said.

Rowland and Thomas will start work immediately.

A photo gallery of the ceremony can be found by heading to our Photos page.