When he started work at the Jefferson City Police Department in 1983, Bob Cynova's goal was to make captain and work 30 years in the department.
Today marks his 30th anniversary on the department where he currently is a captain.
"How's that for premonition," Cynova laughed.
Prior to coming to Jefferson City, Cynova served four years as a police officer in Abilene, Kan. from 1972-76.
He was also a reserve officer for Jefferson City two years prior to coming on full time.
"I've always been very patrol-oriented," he said. "I spent most of my career in the patrol unit I made captain. Most people don't get lucky to choose a career they love and I picked one I love."
Cynova said he counted his entire police career as a good experience.
"I did get shot at once in 1988 by a runaway juvenile, but we took her into custody without anyone getting hurt," he said. "Other than that there hasn't been that much excitement."
The current budget problems the city is facing did affect Cynova's decision to retire at the end of April.
"I want to do my part to make the department solvent, although I anticipated retiring anyway," he said. "Some of it was the budget woes, but mostly it's my own decision. It's still a hard decision, but I'm 61 years old so it's time for the young kids to step up and take over."
Cynova is eligible for the city's retirement plan and that made his decision easier.
"I'm leaving about a year earlier than I originally planned," he said.
"I'd rather they cut from the top so they don't lay off from the bottom."
"The department is very proactive," Cynova added. "The chief has instituted things like our traffic unit and we've seen our traffic accidents lowered. The community action team is very active especially recently in making progress to deal with our heroin problems. The school resource officer program helps youth get to know officers better."
"The budget cuts will make it difficult to do some of these things, but we will maintain nearly the same presence we've had in the past in all these programs," he added.
Cynova said the department does have an 80-and-out program, so if officers come in right out of college they could stay 25-27 years, but the days of 30 or more years are probably gone.
"I know it sounds trite, but I wanted to make a difference and you absolutely make a difference as a public safety officer," he said.