DECATUR — April 28 began much the same as any other day over the past 28 years for Decatur police chief Terry Luker. He filed paperwork, finished investigations and answered a few calls for service. But for Luker, this day would be anything but ordinary as he worked his last eight-hour shift as a law enforcement officer.
Twenty years ago as a young police officer working for the Gravette Police Department, Luker was hired by the city of Decatur to fill an open position. Four years later he became the chief of police for the city. To honor his years of service, the townspeople of Decatur gathered on Friday to say goodbye to a man who brought integrity and honor to that department.
About 50 friends, colleagues, city employees, school board members and family members gathered in the community room to give Luker a sendoff to remember. In fact, city hall was shut down for an hour so that city workers and administrators could attend Luker's retirement reception.
Bob Tharp, Decatur mayor, presented Luker with a plaque honoring his years of devoted service to the city he came to know as home. After his presentation, incoming chief Joe Savage took the stage for a very special presentation.
After expressing his gratitude to a man he called "Chief" for many years, Savage asked Luker for his service weapon, which Luker handed over to him with a look of bewilderment on his face. After setting the firearm on the speaker podium's top shelf, Savage reached for an object on the shelf below. With the object hidden behind his back, Savage walked back to Luker.
"Since the paper said you were trading in your gun for a rake," Savage said, "I have taken your gun and traded it for this yellow rake."
Luker took it with a smile and proudly shared it with the crowd. Of course, Savage gave Luker his gun back and turned the proceedings back over to Tharp, who opened the floor to anyone who wanted to convey sentiments to Luker. About six people, including a principal and a reporter, all paid homage to the chief.
After the reception, Luker returned to the Decatur Police Station, were he spent his last few hours in the profession that he came to love.
General News on 05/03/2017