Three Warsaw employees were recognized at Friday’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting for their combined 55 years of service to the city.
Warsaw Police Department Sgt. Lewis Fuller and Det. Sgt. Ryan Moore both have served the city for 15 years. Brian Davison, wastewater treatment utility superintendent, has been a city employee for 25 years.
WPD Chief Scott Whitaker told the board Friday was Fuller’s last day with WPD. Fuller has accepted a position with Columbia City Police Department as a school resource officer (SRO). Fuller has been an SRO with WPD for a number of years, Whitaker said, reaching the rank of sergeant on the street and carrying that over to the schools.
“You’ve been a very valuable asset to the Warsaw Police Department. You’re going to be missed. It’s difficult, but in life you have to make decisions for your family and this is what Lewis is doing. His kids go to the Columbia City school district and it just makes sense for him,” Whitaker said. “Being in the 77 Pension Fund allows officers to lateral, so he keeps his 15 years of service and picks it up in Columbia City.”
Fuller thanked the city of Warsaw, WPD and Whitaker for 15 years.
“I’m not leaving for any other reason than family decisions. I’m very happy here. I’ve really enjoyed working, not only with the city and the police department, but then in Warsaw Community Schools. I’ve developed a lot of friendships with the PD and the school system, so leaving was kind of bittersweet and kind of hard, but I have a senior at Columbia City High School and I have an eighth-grader - he’s going to go through there. And, so, when they approached me with that opportunity - I wasn’t looking - they just kind of approached (me),” Fuller said.
He talked it over with his wife and she was on board with him being at the school with his sons as well.
Fuller will join the police department and eventually joining the Columbia City high school to be the SRO there. He’ll not only get to be with his kids, but he also has some nephews there and he coaches at Columbia City.
“It’s just kind of one of those things where I’m really happy here, but a family opportunity came and I just didn’t feel like I could turn that down. I’m very thankful for my time here and appreciative of the opportunity to serve and the friendships I’ve made,” Fuller stated.
Mayor Jeff Grose said, “On behalf of the city again, thank you for your service over the years. People have come up to me - stakeholders in this community, the school system, the police department - and they’ve always spoken very highly of you. You will be missed. Wishing you the best, starting with your family.”