Posted March 28, 2017 10:14am
Left: Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson (left) says goodbye to Sgt. David Leeper (right) Right: Detective Carey Stone (left) says goodbye to Sgt. Brent Duncan (right) Photo Credit: City of Atchison/Facebook
(KAIR)--A warm farewell to a longtime member of the Atchison Police Department.
That happened Friday when a reception was held for Sergeant Brent Duncan, as he retires from the department.
Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the retirement was effective as of this past weekend. “He started with us in 1998, very successful career as a policeman with us,” Wilson said. “We're proud of him for a lot or reasons. Everything from rising to the rank of sergeant to one time being our special response team leader to originating our motorcycle patrol. We've had our motorcycle patrol now since 1999. That was initiated because of the efforts of Sgt. Duncan.”
Wilson says Duncan's departure comes on the heels of another police department retirement in January. “Just several months ago we had another patrol sergeant retire – that was Sergeant David Leeper,” Wilson said. “Because of Sgt. Leeper retiring and knowing that Sgt. Duncan was going to retire, we've actually promoted two new sergeants. We have those supervisors now in place that will take over.”
Promoted to the rank of Sergeant are Al Kelly and Nelson Birkinsha. Prior to the promotion, Wilson says both served as Corporals, meaning the two vacancies, in that rank, also had to be filled. “Because of that, we've also promoted two corporals,” Wilson explained. “That's Travis Eichelberger and Brian Johnson. Two sergeants leave, two corporals become sergeants and two officers become corporals.”
Wilson says a vacancy, created by the retirements, has been filled in the department by the return of a one time officer. “Adam Bush, who was a longtime employee with us, who left for a short time to become a Buchanan County sheriff, Wilson said. “Chose to come back and brought back years of experience with him.”
Wilson says one vacancy remains, and the process of filling that role moves forward.
