He’s one Sharpe police officer

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

McMinnville Police Department Lt. Larry Sharpe has been on the job for almost 30 years. (Amy Satterwhite photo)

McMinnville Police Department Lt. Larry Sharpe has worked enough years to be able to retire, but deciding when that should take place is a tossup.

Some days, the demands of his job make him want to throw in the towel, but on others, he loves his job just as much as he did on his first day of work in 1976.

Sharpe left his job as a butcher for the opportunity to become a police officer, which was something he always wanted to do.

“As far back as I can remember, I was always attracted to police work,” he said.

After beginning work on the Mt. Leo beat, Sharpe was a patrolman for three years and quickly moved up the ranks to sergeant. He became a lieutenant in 1998, a position he remains in today. His job is to supervise four patrolmen on his shift and be the main person responsible for whatever happens on the shift.

Sharpe said crimes have changed dramatically in 30 years. Crimes related to alcohol, like public intoxication and driving under the influence, have been overshadowed by drug crimes.

“Now, it’s more dealing with drugs, and I think that brings on more burglaries and robberies,” he said. “The drunks didn’t steal to get their alcohol, but the druggies will.”

Guns are also more commonly seen on the street today.

“I’ve never had a drunk pull a gun on me and I have had a druggie pull one on me,” he said, adding his most memorable bust was catching a burglary in progress at a grocery store, when a burglar was attempting to break into a safe.

While many things have changed in law enforcement over the years, like having more paperwork, he said one of the biggest changes is related to evidence.

“The officers word was worth a whole lot in court, unless the officer had been proven to be a liar or something, and in that case, he didn’t stay long. Your word was gold,” he said of the old days. “Now, the judges say if you don’t have a video, then your word is no better than any citizen’s. As long as I’ve been in there, I think my word, without using a video camera, should be as good now as it was then.”

Compiling an abundance of evidence is the most difficult part of the job.

“The amount of evidence needed anymore seems to be greater. Laws have changed to make it that way. Opinions have changed to make it that way, not just with judges, but with the public,” he added.

Changes aside, he enjoys knowing the fruits of his labors have not gone unnoticed.

“It still makes me feel good to know people appreciate me doing my job. I feel like everyone is that way – if they feel appreciated for what they’re doing, they’ll feel better about what they’re doing.”