CAPE POLICE VETERANS RETIRE AFTER LONG TENURE

The unpredictable nature of police work is a big part of what has kept the job interesting for Sgt. Al Moore during the last 30-plus years.

"I enjoy it all, but the nice thing about police work is you have a nice change of routine," Moore said. "Things vary daily and sometimes hourly."

Moore and Officer Carl Pease both will be retiring from the Cape Girardeau Police Department in the near future. Both are taking advantage of the early retirement incentive package offered to city employees.

Pease, 55 and a 28-year department veteran, concludes his career Sept. 30. During his years of service he worked as a patrolman, in the communications department, in the maintenance department and most recently as station commander, a post he has held for the past two years.

Pease plans to stay busy with a part-time job, but intends to take it easy as well.

"I will go fishing a lot," he said.

He may not see all of his coworkers at the station as often, but it is unlikely he will lose track of Moore. Pease and his wife Martha are next-door neighbors with Moore and his wife Carolyn. The couples also have cabins on Kentucky Lake within 10-miles of each other.

Moore, head of the traffic division, has been a full-time officer with the Cape Girardeau department for 33 years. Prior to that he spent one year as a reserve officer.

"I've worked at about all the positions they've got here for a patrolman and sergeant," he said.

Also 55 years old, Moore won't really be retiring as much as changing jobs. He plans to seek full-time employment.

"I don't want to be sitting around doing nothing," he said.

His last of work day will be Dec. 1, which is also the day his brother, Capt. Frank Moore, retires from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Pease and Moore agree that the job can sometimes be pretty hectic and stressful, but say that goes with the territory.

"One thing I learned a long time ago is when you leave work don't take it with you," Moore said. "Do your job and then let the courts do their part."