Lloyd Davis, believed to be the longest-serving police chief ever in Jefferson County, told the De Soto City Council Monday he will retire in November.
Davis, 62, has served 32 years as chief in De Soto. He has 34 years total with the city, including two brief stints as city manager, time as city clerk, finance director and even a stretch in the sanitation department.
Davis was in the construction business in 1962 when he was approached by then-City Manager Floyd Sutterfield.
“He asked to come help him out as an officer for a year,” Davis laughed. “That was 34 years ago.”
The De Soto Police Department had four officers then, including the chief, working out of a 10-by-20-foot room Davis described as “a dungeon.”
Today there are 14 commissioned officers working out of the police offices in city hall.
Over the years, Davis earned a reputation as a steady, low-key chief.
“He’s been an excellent police chief and citizen of De Soto,” said Councilwoman Betty Mueller. “He’s a many faceted man. He’s been a prime mover of the DARE project. He’s a big booster of Little League. He’s worried about the youth of today and always tried to do the best he can for them.
“I’ll be sorry to see him go but there comes a time in everyone’s life or career when they want to do some things personally. The chief has been a real good citizen.”
De Soto Mayor Bruce King recalled his first encounter with Davis as a little intimidating.
“I was about 14, and a couple of friends and I were caught shooting off fireworks. We were taken in to the station and you set us back on the straight path,” King said to Davis at Monday’s Council meeting.
Festus Police Chief Ron Scaggs said he admires Davis’ approach to his job.
“The thing I always liked about Lloyd was he was a master of diplomacy and tact. I used to call him the handsomest and smoothest police chief of the county,” Scaggs said.
“Then I found out he made more money than me and I started calling him the richest chief in the county. Seriously, I don’t ever remember calling Lloyd when I didn’t get full cooperation.”
Former Jefferson County Sheriff Walter “Buck” Buerger echoed Scaggs’ remarks.
“Any time I needed help, he was there.” Buerger said. “He’s a very good man. He did it his way and that was always the right way. I don’t ever recall having one cross word with Lloyd.”
Davis said he won’t quit public service cold turkey.
“I’ll stay interested in city government,” he said. “I’ll stay on the DARE board and in other things.”
In the meantime, Davis will be able to spend a full quail season in the field for the first time if he chooses.
“I love quail hunting and I’m a big sports advocate,” he said. “I’ll have plenty to do.”
Davis said he believes police work needs to emphasize more community contact.
Even though programs such as DARE and Neighborhood Watch are a start, he said the police community should do more.
“I think there should be emphasis on prevention and more involvement with the public,” he said. “We haven’t asked for their involvement or made them a part of law enforcement. They don’t feel like their opinions count. It’s our fault for not having more public information and contact.”
He said he’d like to see those ideas carried on by his successor.
“I’d like it to be someone highly trained, somebody who has a feel for the community and could enforce the law from the heart,” Davis said. “It might sound funny coming from someone who’s supposed to be militant, but I’ve found it works.
Some information for this story was supplied by Keith Osterberg.
