Six set aside the badge

Deepa Bharath

Their plans range from “doing nothing” to “being a cowboy.”

Six police officers -- Steve Arganbright, Jeff Cantrell, Bruce

Foster, Mike Jackson, Rick Schulz and Doug Thomas -- who collectively

have spent more than 180 years serving the city, were honored at a

party on Thursday at the American Legion.

The men wore big smiles on a day they said was special to them.

“I survived 30 years in one piece,” said a beaming Jackson, who in

his career tackled high-profile cases such as the one involving John

Wayne’s daughter Aissa.

In 1988, he received a commendation for investigating the assault

of Aissa Wayne and her boyfriend in their Newport Beach home. His

investigation lasted seven months and resulted in the arrest of four

suspects who were later found guilty of having planned a hit on Aissa

Wayne.

If Jackson has had his fair share of cases, Foster, who has flown

the police helicopter since 1976, has seen his share of bizarre

pursuits, including one during which a suspect, eventually arrested,

went the wrong way on several freeways.

Foster said he plans to “enjoy life” in the years ahead.

Schulz has been with the department for more than 28 years, but he

still vividly remembers his first day at work. It was right about the

time that the police department had moved from City Hall to its

current location on Santa Barbara Drive.

“I had to go to this 3:30 briefing and I ended up going to City

Hall at 3:25,” he said. “No one was there, so I guessed they had to

be in the new place and drove there as fast as I could.”

Schulz was still 10 minutes late.

“When I got there, there were all the officers, the mayor, city

council and the press, and someone went, ‘Someone take a picture of

the new guy who showed up late on his first day.’”

Schulz went on to become a certified flight instructor in 1984 and

maintained a spotless safety record. He was known in the department

for showing compassion when dealing with the public, as can be seen

from letters of gratitude that the department received from the

community.

The retirees said they were happy, yet sad to leave behind

countless friends they’ve made over the years.

“It’s mixed feelings,” said Cantrell, who received several merit

awards, including one for disarming a suspect who was trying to stab

a victim inside a car. “It’s been an honor to serve this community.

It’s been rewarding.”

Thomas, who received the Medal of Valor for pulling a young man

from a burning car in November 1984, said he is proud of his career.

“I think it’s an achievement to get through 29 years of police

service uninjured,” he said.

Arganbright said he will cherish the lasting friendships he has

made in the department over the years.

“This job is unlike any other because you work so closely with

your colleagues,” he said. “It’s like a brotherhood.”

Arganbright has been a member of the SWAT team for more than 10

years.

Newport Beach Police Chief Bob McDonell said the department will

miss the officers’ collective knowledge and experience.

“How do you replace that?” the chief asked with a smile. “But,

it’s great to see people going out healthy. I hope they’ll enjoy

their years ahead.”