DISTRICT COMMANDER RETIRES

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- The third time was charm for Jimmy R. Warder in his quest to become an Illinois State Policeman in the mid- to late-sixties.

"I had a couple of strikes against me," said Warder from his home in Olive Branch recently. "My eyesight wasn't at the 20-30 level required to pass the physical, and I was underweight."

Warder's eyes improved.

"I tried again," recalled Warder. "But, I was still under the weight specifications."

After putting on some pounds, Warder tried a third time. He passed, and was sent to the Illinois State Police Academy at Springfield for a rigid four-months training session.

"That was 24 years ago," said Warder, who recently retired from the Illinois State Police. " It's been a good career for me."

Warder, who retired as a Master/Sergeant from his position as shift commander at Ullin District 22 Headquarters, said he became interested in law enforcement while serving in the U.S. Air Force Air Police.

"I was 25 at the time," said Warder, who was born in Cape Girardeau and raised in the McClure, Ill. area. Warder served as manager for Guth Brothers Block Co. in Carbondale after discharge from the Air Force.

"I never gave up," said Warder. "I was 30 years old before I finally passed my physical for the state police. At that time, the maximum age limit was 33."

Warder's first assignment was in the Chicago area.

"I was assigned to Oak Brook," he said. "That was in the O'Hare Airport area, and it was a busy area."

He remained there about two years, until 1970, when he was transferred to DuQuoin District 13 and assigned to the District 13A post at Cairo, at a time when racial disturbances were prevalent in the city.

"I spent a lot of time in Cairo," he said. "I patrolled that city more than I did the state highways."

In 1977, Warder was transferred to the police academy in Springfield, where he served as a counselor and instructor for state police cadet courses.

After a year and a half at Springfield, he was transferred back to District 13A to resume normal patrol duties. He was promoted to a the rank of sergeant in December of 1981 and assumed the position of a squad sergeant. In June of 1987, he was promoted to Master/Sergeant and assumed the responsibility of shift commander at the 13A post.

When District 22 was formed at Ullin, he was assigned as shift commander of the new headquarters, continuing that post until his retirement.

Warder is holder of the Governor's Valor Award, the highest award presented to state police. He received the award in June of 1980, for his actions during the Glacia Mine Riot at Glacia, Ill.

"I wasn't really going to do much on retirement," said Warder. "But, when I saw an ad in the Southeast Missourian for help at the new Walmart Supercenter, I decided that I needed something part-time. I applied and was hired, so I'll be spending some hours in Cape Girardeau."

Warder and his wife, June, have two children.