Robert Desy will be able to spend more time with his wife, Elaine, following his retirement from the Mackinaw City Police after nearly 36 years of service. Befriending a police officer at his parents' gift store and soda fountain in Mackinaw City had a great impact on Robert Desy's career choice later in his life. As the officer dropped in every few days for coffee, Mr. Desy learned more and more about the life of a police officer, which later led to his working for the Mackinaw City Police for nearly 36 years.

"When you're younger, everyone wants to be a fireman and a policeman," he said.

As he grew older, Mr. Desy's interest in law enforcement continued. He was drafted into the army in 1966 and returned to Mackinaw City in 1969 following a three-yearstint in Istanbul. He was helping his mother run the Desy Gift Shops after his discharge when the same officer dropped in one day and offered him a job working for the Cheboygan County road patrol. Mr. Desy signed on in 1972, the year it began.

After a year, he joined the Mackinaw City Police Department, where he worked for the remainder of his career.

"In his many years of patrolling, he's seen many things, both good and bad," said Mackinaw City Police Chief Patrick Wyman.

Mr. Desy worked with other city officers to prepare the village for various events such as the Bridge Walk, recalling when President George H.W. Bush walked the bridge in 1992. When Mr. Bush arrived by helicopter, the Mackinaw City Police secured the area and worked alongside the Secret Service to make the former president's visit a safe one. It was also the same year Mr. Desy volunteered to be the Mackinaw City Public Schools' DARE officer.

Many aspects being a policeman have changed, he noted. One was in emergency services. When he first joined the force, the police used station wagons, which functioned as a squad car and an ambulance. The police responded to medical emergencies, and in the event of an accident, for example, officers would have to gather information about the accident while assisting the injured.

Another change was in communication technology. In the past, if he needed information on drivers after pulling them over, he would have to call dispatch. The process could take more than 10 minutes while dispatchers examined the driver's file and relayed the information back. Now police officers have computers in their vehicles they can use to retrieve files in half the time, he said.

As an officer, Mr. Desy developed a keen interest in communications. In his early years, communication technology made it difficult to speak with officers in different areas, such as St. Ignace. Being able to speak with other police officers provides an advantage, Mr. Desy said, as officers will be better prepared to deal with criminals other agencies have handled in the past.

A co-worker introduced Mr. Desy to the Cheboygan County Amateur Radio Club. The club works with ham radios, and sometimes get involved in special training sessions with police. At times, radio clubs will aid law enforcement when relaying traffic information or news in the event of a disaster, Mr. Desy said.

Mr. Desy's departure marks a loss of experience for the Mackinaw City Police, the chief said.

"He takes a tremendous amount of experience with him," Chief Wyman said. "It's always been a pleasure working with him. He'll be missed."

Mr. Desy will retire at the end of December. He and his wife, Elaine, plans to visit his son, Chris, who lives in Grandville with his wife, and his daughter, Dawn, who lives in the Detroit area.

With retirement on the horizon, Mr. Desy also has more time to devote to the radio clubs. He will also be able to get together with his friends more often for coffee and talk about the day's events.

"Like most groups, you discuss all the world's problems and have them solved by the time you leave," he said.

Mr. Desy continues to serve as a fireman for the village, a job he has no intention of leaving.

"It's another one of those things that once it get in your blood, it's hard to get out," he said.

Mackinaw City will have four full-time police officers, including the chief, after Mr. Desy retires. The village is seeking another officer to fill Mr. Desy's vacancy. The deadline for applications is January 13, 2010.