Scott City chief of police is on Guard again

Scott City police chief Don Cobb was and wasn't surprised when word came 10 days ago that his National Guard unit, the 2175th Military Police Company based in St. Clair, Mo., had been mobilized. Cobb just returned eight months ago from Kosovo, where he served a six-month tour of duty with the company.

"We weren't expecting to go," he said, "but the situation has changed. All you have to do is look at the news."

Cobb is among nearly 1,100 National Guard reservists who received their mobilization orders Monday. The others are the 1221st Transportation Company, part of which is located in Dexter, Mo.; the 235th Engineer Detachment; the 1138th Engineer Battalion; and the 103rd Engineer Battalion. The soldiers are to report to their armories March 15.

Three of the state's military police companies are on their second tour since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

A few months

Cobb doesn't expect to be gone more than three or four months. "It all depends on what happens over there," he said.

He expects to be performing protection work for convoys or guarding prisoners, but Cobb doesn't know where either job might take him.

Lt. Roy Butler will fulfill the police chief's duties in Cobb's absence.

Cobb became the police chief in Scott City last August after serving as the chief in Chaffee nearly two years. The Chaffee City Council decided to continue paying his salary during the six months he was in Kosovo. The law requires only that an employer keep a National Guard reservist's job open while he or she is on duty.

City administrator Ron Eskew said the city council has not had a chance to discuss Cobb's salary if he is gone for an extended period.

"We will do everything that is legally required of the city," Eskew said. "I know that."

Cobb said he wouldn't expect the city to pay his salary in his absence.

"I don't think I'd take it even if they offered it," he said.

The city will maintain his insurance for 30 days. After that period, Cobb and his family can go on the military insurance plan.

The Scott City Police Department, which consists of 10 officers and five dispatchers, has one other National Guardsman. Officer David Ellis has not yet been called up.

Two officers on duty

Eskew said the department still will be able to have two officers on duty at all times. Some administrative duties that Cobb and Butler handled will fall to the office manager, who is the ranking dispatcher, Eskew said.

For the second time in a year, Cobb will be separated from his wife, Teresa, and their sons Joshua, 7, and Caleb, 5. "I really don't have to tell her anything," he said of his wife. "She's been through this before."

This second call-up is easier for the boys, Cobb said.

"They kind of understand things."

He doesn't have an opinion about the possible war.

"The country's at war, and I'm a soldier," he said. "That's the only thing I have to know."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182