By James Massara
After 26 years, one Bucyrus police officer decided it was time to hang up his badge and move on to new ventures.
After graduating from Bucyrus High School in 1982, Officer Sam Caldwell began his journey of serving others in his community.
Shortly after graduation, Caldwell found himself enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Caldwell spent four years in the Marines working in security and infantry, learning skills that eventually transferred over into police work.
Caldwell did not immediately join the department upon his return from military service.
“After I got out of the service, I cam back to Bucyrus and did some work at a couple fast foods,” Caldwell said. “In 1989, I got involved in the auxiliary at the police department. After that I decided I wanted to pursue it full time.”
Caldwell said that over the 26 years of his career, he could not pick just one single memory to claim as his favorite.
“There’s been the good, the bad and the ugly,” Caldwell said. “Off the top of my head, I can’t pick just one. There’s been some really good times seeing people turn their lives around.”
Caldwell was able to pick out the biggest changes from his time as a rookie in 1991 to being a veteran officer in 2018. Caldwell said the fight for law enforcement against hard drugs has skyrocketed over his career. He also said technology has drastically changed.
“Things like body cameras and other things have made this job much easier,” Caldwell said. “Also, out of everything I’ve driven, I started out with an ’88 or ’89 Chevy Impala and then went through the Crown Vics and to the SUV’s, I think far and above all the rest the current vehicles are the best vehicle I’ve driven.”
He said that even though technology has changed, the responsibilities of an officer have not.
Caldwell said it was an honor serving and carrying out those responsibilities with those he has served with while serving his hometown.
“It’s definitely been a pleasure to not only work with the guys and ladies here, but a lot of citizens help,” Caldwell said. “I think sometimes they don’t give themselves enough credit. They see something, they give us a call, and I can’t begin to tell you how many times somebody calls about seeing something and it usually pans out that we catch someone doing something they’re not supposed to be.
“You could have a 1,000-man department here, but you still have to have the people calling.”
Caldwell said his plans now include taking time off and taking vacation, including a cruise. He added that eventually finding some more work is not out of the question.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be able to sit still,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell’s final shift ended at 3 p.m. Jan. 5.