One of Ogden's police officers retired March 30. Officer Ken Olson has been with the Ogden Police Department for 20 years and said he feels the time has come to take off his badge. "My wife recently started a job with BOCES as a social worker; something she's always wanted to do. I told her I was going to spend some time at home now." He and his wife live with their seven children, ages 5 to 20, in Ogden. While he has no formal plans to do anything else right away, he's certain that his family will keep him busy. Olson grew up in Chili. It was while he was working for the highway department there that he took the Civil Service exam and became a police officer at age 27. "I worked part time for the highway department in Chili and part time as a police officer in Wheatland for a year before being hired full time by Ogden," he said. It's quite clear that this police officer is going to be missed by his peers. This "great big teddy bear," as one of his fellow officers teasingly called him, is well thought of in the department. His boss, Police Chief Chris Schrank, had nothing but the highest praise for him. "Kenny's a gentle giant. He's terrific. You never have to go looking for him. He's right there asking what he can do to help, whether it's on the job or not. If something is happening, he shows up asking what he can do. He's got a terrific work ethic and you can count on him seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Kenny is a very effective officer in a number of ways. His communication skills have been an asset to both him and the department. I've never seen him upset; he always handles himself professionally. His assistance has been instrumental in a number of cases. Sometimes it's the little things you don't even realize are there until they're gone. I suspect that will be the case with Kenny's retirement. We're going to miss him a lot. He has been a pleasure to work with. I wish I could have an entire department of Kenny Olsons," Schrank said. Olson says one of the things he'll miss the most is being out in the community. As a motorcyle officer, he's been a regular at special events such as the annual firemen's parade. He enjoys talking with the children as they ask him questions about the motorcycle and his job. His patience and compassion are something that stand out in Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard's mind when she talks about him. "I have witnessed him with people in trouble. He takes control but what impressed me the most was not only how effective he was but also how compassionate. He will definitely be missed." Officer Olson is a modest man and not one to boast, but proof of his abilities are evidenced in his record. In 1991, he received an award for saving a woman's life by entering a burning building on Whittier Road. Another incident that sticks in his mind is the October 1998 robbery of the Spencerport HSBC. "I was chasing him on foot and a citizen stopped his car and gave me a ride. I had him drop me up ahead by the Credit Union (on Lyell Avenue). I knew the area better than the suspect did and he ran right into me. I don't know who was more surprised - me or him," he laughed. Officer Olson got his man. In 20 years there's been a lot of changes, computerized systems, decreases in the police force, and increases again. The Ogden community has grown considerably and of course with it some of the crimes. "The crimes seem to be getting more serious," he said. "It's a been a great 20 years." Olson said he wouldn't have wanted to work anywhere else. While he will miss the people and his fellow officers, the one thing he won't miss is the paperwork. "There's a lot of paperwork," he said shaking his head. There will be a formal retirement party for Ken Olson in late June. |
