WC: Behind the Badge

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Everyday the people of Webster County are served by the members of our various local law enforcement agencies. From the city police departments to the Sheriff’s office and Fish and Wildlife officers, these men put their lives on the line every day so that we can be safe.

During 2015 the J-E will look to honor each of these officers by telling their story in the pages of our newspaper. Please, join us in thanking these officers for what they do.

Chief Randy Durbin

Police Chief Randy Durbin is a lifelong Sebree resident who has spent most of his life serving the people in Sebree in one way or another.  For this small town native, working for the betterment of his hometown is the important part.

Growing up, getting into law enforcement was not one of Durbin’s goals.  It may, however, have just been a result of one of his biggest passions.

“Law enforcement was not a career goal of mine,” said Durbin. “But I enjoy working with people. The best part of my job is helping people and working together with them for the betterment of Sebree. Sebree is a great community with great people. We have a great school where teachers work tirelessly to educate our children.”

As a teenager he worked in a local grocery store, where he learned his love for his community and it’s people.

“It gave me lots of personal contact with the citizens of Sebree,” he recalls. That contact planted a seed that eventually turned into a career of working with and for the public.

When he was old enough, Durbin joined the Sebree Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Service, where he worked along side his father, Chief Harry Durbin. He became an EMT and served the people of Sebree from an ambulance. He spent more than 20 years working with the Fire and Ambulance service.

Durbin had other jobs as well. He worked in several local factories and even spent time in the security department of Casino Aztar in Evansville, IN. He also served 11 years as a Sebree City Council member.

But the city he had grown up in had a different use for him.

“I was hired as a police officer in 1998 and graduated from the Department Criminal Justice in Richmond, KY that same year,” he said.

When he went to work as a patrol officer in Sebree, the department had two officers. Through the years things have changed. In 2006 he was promoted to Chief of Police.

“As with all small towns, the budget continues to get tighter and I am now the only police officer in Sebree,” Durbin said.

Despite the tight budget, state and federal grant monies have allowed the department to keep up-to-date. They’ve upgraded the department’s computer system, and in 2011 they were able to use police department funds to purchase a new cruiser.

As with most other town, the worst issue facing Sebree is drugs.

“The worst part of my job is dealing with the growing meth related problems and illegally obtained subscription drugs,” Durbin said. “The new drug, K2, which is a synthetic marijuana, is a growing problem for all of law enforcement.