To the editor:

June 30th will be a bittersweet day for me. I will be retiring as a Bainbridge Island Police Officer/Detective and hanging up my handcuffs.

Thirty years in this business has gone by swiftly. I started as a young, naive 24-year-old, ready to save the world. I’d like to think I did save a few and for that it was all worth it.

The thrill of working the streets of Seattle at night and then in detectives eventually brought me here to Bainbridge, where my family and I lived.

It was quite a radical change. The first warm body in the backseat of my police car was a downed owl that had poor eyesight and smacked into a windshield. My old co-workers got a laugh when I told them I wrapped the owl into a safety blanket and placed him in the backseat. After rehab, the owl recovered and I watched him take flight again at his release. These were the moments that I knew I made the right move. Our beautiful island and its critters kept me company on those long dark nights.

Police work brings officers into contact with people at their sometimes darkest moments. Thank you for entrusting me with your worries, concerns and fears. I hope that I provided comfort and safety when you felt none.

Thank you for coming to our aid when you supported our officers in the difficult work we do. It lessens the frustration when dealing with the absent parent, the domestic abuser or the chronic DUI driver. I say to parents; better M.I.P. than R.I.P.

Thank you to our wonderful friends here who were stalwart in supporting me during our family’s house fire, health crisis and assorted maladies. We were provided housing, meals, ferry tickets and loads of love and care. We treasure you.

So, Bainbridge Islanders, I gallop off to the mountains of Leavenworth where life is simple and quiet. I’ll miss the T&C, the Madison Diner and so many great local businesses where I shopped.

I’ll sign off by quoting Sgt. Phil Esterhaus of “Hill Street Blues,” “Let’s be careful out there.”

MAURINE “MO” STICH

Leavenworth