Jenkins retires after decades of service

By Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

After more than two decades serving Bonney Lake as a police officer, Lt. Tom Jenkins has decided to hang up his badge for a little rest and relaxation.

At a retirement party Wednesday at the Public Safety Building, Jenkins' family, friends and colleagues from his nearly 27 years of service stopped by to wish him well.

Rep. Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake, presented Jenkins with a certificate of recognition for his years of service.

The night before at the City Council meeting, Mayor Neil Johnson and the council signed a proclamation awarding the lieutenant his badge and recognizing June 30 as Thomas H. “Tommy” Jenkins Day.

Also attending the retirement celebration were interim Police Chief Buster McGehee and Bonney Lake's previous chief, Bryan Jeter.

Jeter worked with Jenkins for 17 years.

“It's tough to replace a guy with that kind of institutional knowledge,” Jeter said. “He has two generations of criminals under his belt.”

McGehee said one of Jenkins' many qualities is “ he's respected by other officers and he's so well connected to the community.”

When Jenkins first joined the force in 1980 there were six officers, including the chief. Currently there are 25.

Jenkins said he will leave with many memories, but his favorite was the years he had with his tracking dog, Adam.

“I went through a 13-week program to learn how to train him,” Jenkins said. “I had him for about nine years starting in the early ‘80s. We were the only one up here so we were kept pretty busy.”

Along with all the friends and colleagues, Jenkins' grandchildren enjoyed the cake and soft drinks, which gives him three more reasons to look forward to retirement.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.

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