AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS, OFFICER RETIRES FROM CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY POLICE FORCE

After more than 30 years with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Lt. Dale Ratliff reluctantly retired on Friday.

"It's a change of life," said Ratliff, as he tearfully acknowledged friends and relatives who gathered at the department.

Ratliff retired as the head of the police planning and standards division, which handles firearms training, equipment acquisitions and other details.

He has also served in the patrol, traffic and training divisions, Chief Rick Hetzel said. His service has made a lasting impact on the community and department, the chief said.

Besides his police work, Ratliff is a member of Mid-America Teen Challenge's board of directors and director of the Sunday school program at Bethel Assembly of God.

Sgt. Barry Hovis recalled how Ratliff had been his instructor at the Cape Girardeau Police Academy, which Ratliff ran until the academy moved to Southeast Missouri State University in 1986.

"He was the first supervisor to yell at me," Hovis said.

But he wasn't the last who yelled at Hovis, Ratliff added.

In the immediate future, Ratliff said he will spend time with his family. He does plan to look for other employment. With his master's degree in criminal justice, Ratliff said it's possible he'll seek a job with Southeast.

With Ratliff's retirement, four promotions within the department were also announced.

Sgt. J.R. "Buddy" Davis and Sgt. Roger Fields were promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Davis will fulfill Ratliff's role, while Fields will be in charge of the patrol division.

The former head of the patrol division, Lt. Tracy Lemonds, was put in charge of the detective division last week with the retirement of Lt. John Brown.

Hovis and Cpl. Kevin Orr were also promoted to the rank of sergeant. Orr will work in the crime prevention division, while Hovis will work as a community resource officer, based at the department's substation on Good Hope Street.