Last month Ken Marsch announced his retirement as a volunteer reserve police officer for Jefferson City after more than 25 years of service.
As a reserve officer, Marsch volunteered more than 25,000 hours of service.
He was also subject to the same risks, responsibilities and licensing requirements as a full-time paid officer.
About the same time he started with the police department, Marsch also started work in the Missouri National Guard Environmental Office. As an environmental scientist, he helps that office deal with EPA or DNR mandated environmental regulation issues. He prepares briefings and does a lot of training courses. Last November that office placed first in all guard states for its operation and in March this year it won the similar award from the U.S. Army, which no state guard has ever won.
"With my guard job I have to travel 45-50 weeks a year so I did my work with the police on Fridays and Saturdays," he said. "I worked 20 hours - two 10-hour shifts. What brought me into the reserve or law enforcement in 1988 was that I became a Christian. There was a change in my life and I wanted to give back. It may have been a strange way to give back, but I had the ability and professionalism and I knew I could support my goal to support and protect the officers."
Marsch did routine patrol duty for the majority of time he worked.
"I have a martial arts background," he said. "I'm the same weight and height as I was when I was 18 so I stay in shape. I did community policing for two years and served with some distinguished officers: Paul Plunkett, Mark Stoner, Randy Werner, Mike Smith, Greg White and Steve West was the commander. It was an important group because the mid-'90s was an unusual period for Jefferson City. We were looking at the potential for gang activity."
Marsch was involved in pursuits and homicide cases, and when they didn't have many officers it wasn't unusual for him to be involved in something.
"When I started, there was a lot more physical activity," he said. "Fridays and Saturdays were intense times. Officers getting bruised and bleeding was not uncommon. Now in the past four to five years there's been a significant reduction in physical contact. I guess that's what led to my decision to retire - I didn't think I was as effective as I used to be."
Marsch said people don't understand that working in all kinds of weather is extremely burdensome and draining both physically and mentally.
"When you're out in every weather conducting investigations and working accidents, it's tough," he said. "I do miss the challenge of initialing investigations, making car stops and effectively dealing with very aggressive physical contact. The Jefferson City Police Department, compared to other places I know, is remarkably restrained and professional."
"What's your life worth?" he asked. "I have had broken bones, faced knives and guns and have been shot at. You can't put a dollar amount on your life. So I say I did this because I got satisfaction in helping" prevent injuries and save lives. "When people ask why you do this stuff, I just say we're not here just to eat, sleep and survive, but to give back."