I am Gary W. Warfield. I’m sixty-three years old and I have been in law enforcement for 33 years. I have four children, one daughter Terri Ann and three sons Paul Allen, Anthony Douglas and Justin Patrick. My children have blessed me with six grandchildren so far, three boys and three girls. My prayers are that by becoming a Police Officer I have helped to make our communities a better place for my family and all of us to live.
I served three years in the United States Army from November 1, 1967 to November 2, 1970. During that time from January 1969 to June 1970 I spent a year and a half in Vietnam with the 101 st Airborne Company "B" 159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion Camp Eagle, South Vietnam. I achieved the rank of E-5 and flew on a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter as a Gunner, Crew Chief, Flight Engineer and a mechanic. I received the Bronze Star, Air Medal with "V" device, several service ribbons and commendations for Meritorious Service.
I have been involved in law enforcement since March 1975, when I started with the Garrett Police Department. I served as a Police Reserve Officer along with being a Police/Fire dispatcher and a Humane Officer. In August 1977, I was promoted to a full time road officer for the Garrett Police Department. I attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for ten weeks from July 31st until October 6, 1978; class of 78-52. While at the academy I was promoted to the rank of Corporal in charge of the Police K-9 units and the department evidence room. My career took me to Rome City, Indiana. From March 25, 1983 until February 4, 1987 I was Town Marshal in Rome City, with one full time Deputy Marshal and twelve Reserve Deputy Marshals. On February 4, 1987 I started as a Waterloo Deputy Marshal for the town of Waterloo, a department of four full time officers. In March 1993, I was assigned the position of acting Town Marshal with two full time Deputy Marshals and two part-time Deputy Marshals. On June 1, 1993, I became the Waterloo Town Marshal. During my time as Marshal I was able to increase the manpower to six deputies through the use of grants from the State of Indiana and the Federal Government. Our use of computers increased from one computer to the present eight work stations. The change of weapons from revolvers to semi-automatic, eyewitness car cameras, and the addition of a third marked police car were added to the department, along with many other minor improvements. The major improvement was the move to our present location from our old office with 429 square feet to approximately 2,280 square feet. This was not a new building, but after remodeling it was a dream come true. Then on December 1, 2002, I resigned as Marshal and went back on the road as a Senior Deputy Marshal for Waterloo.
I was also a K-9 handler from 1976 to 1986. I had three dogs during this time. First was a bloodhound I acquired for $500 that was used by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. His name was Frothing Shilas Medlam. My second dog was a German Shepherd named Captain and my last dog was a German Shepherd named Gabriel. I trained with the Fort Wayne City and Allen County Police K-9 units at their training center off Carroll Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I presently have three dogs at home. Willie, a German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix, Brownie, a Chocolate Lab/Beagle mix and my daughter’s a Dalmatian/Black Labrador Retriever mix named Disney (Terrie has been crazy about Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney since she was a baby, first toy Mickey Mouse doll, want to bet the next pet is named a Disney character). These are just my buddies, not for work.
Besides being a K-9 handler, I was a certified Breath Test Operator for Intoxication and Basic EMT for DeKalb County, Indiana working mostly out of the Garrett EMS quarters. I have attended many classes for continued education relating to law enforcement. Many were to find ways to help the communities I worked for and presently work for. This was also to better myself and help other officers with training I received for the improvement of our profession.
For your personal being: "THE FOUR AGREEMENTS"
TO BE FREE AND HAPPY
# 1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORDS
# 2. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
# 3. DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
***# 4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST ***
***Thought for the day: Be a winner! A WINNER makes commitments—A LOSER makes promises…Be safe out there! All of you. God Bless!!!***