Moses Lake officer retires
Candice Boutilier/Columbia Basin HeraldPatrol Officer Clair "Bear" Harden is presented with a plaque by Police Chief Dean Mitchell during a retirement social Friday afternoon.
MOSES LAKE - After more than 21 years of service Patrol Officer Clair Harden is retiring from the Moses Lake Police Department.
He's not leaving, he will continue his service to the city in the community development department as a code enforcement officer.
Members of the Moses Lake Police Department held a retirement social for Harden Friday afternoon where he was greeted by friends and family.
Police Chief Dean Mitchell presented Harden with a plaque featuring a police badge, a plaque with a mounted photo of his fellow officers and a scrapbook featuring photos and comments.
Patrol Sgt. Paul Harder presented Harden with a gift card and a picture of a motorcycle helmet. He said the funds were for him to purchase a new riding helmet.
"This guy is a rock," Mitchell said.
He said Harden is always dependable, on time and gave his best efforts.
Harden said during his entire service to the city, he never had a day he didn't love.
He said his best day of work was about 10 years ago when he didn't have to shoot a suspect involved in a police call.
Harden said the suspect was drawing a firearm toward police. Police were getting ready to potentially shoot the suspect to protect themselves, but the suspect was apprehended and no one was shot, he said thankfully.
The social continued with fellow officers and friends sharing memories involving Harden and giving congratulatory hugs and handshakes.
As a code enforcement officer Harden said he will help keep the city clean.
His new duties will include monitoring vehicle violations, weed control issues, ordinance variances and private property violations.