More than three decades spent in local law enforcement is a long time to serve. Chief Kenny Dodd has seen much in those long years both good and bad.

Now after spending half of his career in charge of the Polk County Police Department, Chief Dodd is ready to move onto the next chapter of his life.

Dodd, who began his career with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and spent over two years among their ranks, began to serve the community with the Polk Polk County Department as a patrol officer in 1994.

Thirty years later and promotions through the ranks in 1998, 2001, and 2007, he is ready to retire.

“I’ve prayed a lot about it, and I feel like the Good lord has other plans for me. I gave it all I can do for all this time,” Dodd said.

His career has seen heartache and hopeful times. Dodd noted that throughout his 30+ years in law enforcement, he has encountered death and destruction, broken homes and days when the adrenaline starts pumping three times in a shift. Yet the children who he saved from squalor and the people he helped along the way does balance out the bad.

“There are good memories, and you cherish all the good that you were able to do,” he said. “The good has far outweighed the bad, but at some point enough is enough.”

Enough was at the start of the year when Dodd contemplated his next steps and decided he wanted to head into retirement and give himself a break.

He heads into retirement on April 30, and does so with the thanks for the nearly two decades of support from officers who have served under his command, several county commission boards who entrusted him to continue in his role, and the community who have trusted him to do the job.

“It has truly been an honor to serve them for the last 30 years as an officer and as Chief of this department,” he said. “My greatest wish is that our community continues to show as much support for the next Chief of the department as I received from our citizens, our leaders and officers.”

Dodd plans to spend time with his family and relax for the summer before he takes any major steps forward in life.