Shepherd Retires From WFD After Nearly 30 Years
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Shepherd Retires From WFD After Nearly 30 Years
By John DeGroff-
Kenny Shepherd was given a retirement party by fellow firefighters and emergency personnel at Fire Station Two Monday afternoon. He was also awarded a golden fire ax, which was presented to him by Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
Shepherd has been with the Warsaw Fire Department for 29 years and seven months, serving as fire chief from 1991 to 2001. Prior to that, he was a volunteer with the Winona Lake Fire Department for 12 years.
"I'm glad to be going, but these guys have been my family," Shepherd said. "It's going to be very hard for me not to be here every day like I'm used to doing."
"I really appreciate Kenny's service," said Wiggins. "He's done a great job. People really don't know what the job actually entails. A fire chief is more of an administrator than a firefighter. There's a lot of responsibility that goes with the position."
"Everyone should be in charge of something just once," Shepherd said. "Then you know how much work it is. One thing I really want to say is to thank the community and the council for all the support they've given the department."
Mike Wilson, Warsaw Fire Department public information officer, was hired by Shepherd in 1991.
"He's the reason I'm even here," Wilson said. "Kenny's been a great leader, instructor and mentor for every one of us in the department. He's been one of the best the department's ever had."
Shepherd is originally from Burket. He has one son, one daughter, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
When asked about retirement plans, Shepherd said he wants to spend more time gardening and traveling.[[In-content Ad]]
Kenny Shepherd was given a retirement party by fellow firefighters and emergency personnel at Fire Station Two Monday afternoon. He was also awarded a golden fire ax, which was presented to him by Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
Shepherd has been with the Warsaw Fire Department for 29 years and seven months, serving as fire chief from 1991 to 2001. Prior to that, he was a volunteer with the Winona Lake Fire Department for 12 years.
"I'm glad to be going, but these guys have been my family," Shepherd said. "It's going to be very hard for me not to be here every day like I'm used to doing."
"I really appreciate Kenny's service," said Wiggins. "He's done a great job. People really don't know what the job actually entails. A fire chief is more of an administrator than a firefighter. There's a lot of responsibility that goes with the position."
"Everyone should be in charge of something just once," Shepherd said. "Then you know how much work it is. One thing I really want to say is to thank the community and the council for all the support they've given the department."
Mike Wilson, Warsaw Fire Department public information officer, was hired by Shepherd in 1991.
"He's the reason I'm even here," Wilson said. "Kenny's been a great leader, instructor and mentor for every one of us in the department. He's been one of the best the department's ever had."
Shepherd is originally from Burket. He has one son, one daughter, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
When asked about retirement plans, Shepherd said he wants to spend more time gardening and traveling.[[In-content Ad]]
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