Service began before the badge was received

Chief of Police Isaac Brown, left, and Senior Sgt. Kevin Darling share a laugh during a Coffee with a Cop meeting Tuesday morning at McDonalds. (Bruce Baker/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- For many law enforcement officers their time serving the community began long before they ever donned a badge. The City of McCook Police Department is no exception and has a 2-1 ratio, when comparing officers with a military service background to those without.

Of the 15 police officers, sergeants and investigators, including Chief of Police Isaac Brown, 10 of them served their country prior to joining the force or still do in a National Guard of U.S. Army Reserve capacity.

Chief Brown laughed earlier this week when a citizen attending the monthly Coffee with a Cop meeting asked how many local officers had a military background.

"Too many," he said with a chuckle, adding light-heartedly Army Reserve and National Guard duties presented scheduling conflicts at times. Chief Brown was quick to add he was very appreciative of those serving and indicated the scheduling issues were a worthy exchange for the quality of officer it typically accompanied.

Senior Sgt. Kevin Darling agreed and said veterans often had a strong sense of discipline in addition to benefits from other training.

Considering the McCook Police Department consists of 15 officers, including supervisors and investigators, it's easy to see how scheduling multiple two-week absences annually for those active in the National Guard or Reserves would be a challenge.

Chief Brown is a U.S. Army veteran himself, drafted in 1972. Sgt. Darling is an Air Force veteran who joined in 1982. The two shared tales from their service experience during this week's coffee meeting at McDonald's and offered a rare glimpse at the officers behind the badge.

The February Coffee with a Cop meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, 10-11 a.m. at the McCook McDonald's.