Years Experience-Retirement

June 13, 2004

I started out at the ripe age of 18 as a Sheriff's Dispatcher in

Southern Missouri. I worked there for 2 years until the " law

enforcement bug " bit me.

I had just completed a 2 year tech school degree in electronics, and

had gotten into ham radio and repairing almost everything electronic.

I also completed a year in college in electronics before knowing I

had to get into law enforcement.

I ended up a cop here in Iowa. I am completing my 25th year as we

speak. I have done everything from running the photo lab, to 18 years

as a Crime Scene Tech. During that entire time, I still did a lot of

repairing stuff for most of the department.

Almost 3 years ago, the job opened-up as a Technical Services Officer

with primary duties as the 911 Coordinator. I don't supervise the

operators, but maintain all the techie things they use, including the

Mobile Data Computers, Records and CAD systems, etc. The things I

don't personally repair, I coordinate with the service providers who

do, and assist whenever I can.

I'm the 24x7 call person. When it breaks, my phone rings. I love it!!

I was seriously thinking of leaving the department until I started

doing this stuff, as I think I was just plain bored. But now at the

age of 45 I have 25 years in.

This is like paradise for me! I love the variety of things I get to

look at and troubleshoot! I do miss the excitement of the streets

sometimes though.

I had a 60% pension worked out after 22 years, but have to wait till

age 55 to draw a dime. I can work 30 years and draw an 82% pension

when I am 55, or stay till age 55 and also get a yearly escalator on

the pension.

Terry Nixon

Davenport (IA) P.D.

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