Warden police chief set to retire

WARDEN — Warden Police Chief Ken Krebs’ final day with the police department is Feb. 2.

He is retiring after roughly 39 years in law enforcement, with nearly 30 in Warden.

His career began in 1970 in Naches, Wash.

Krebs recalled how his first day of training consisted of his superior showing him the perimeter of town and how to write a ticket. He laughed when he said he was told to call his superior if he had any problems.

His first emergency call in Naches was a fight at a tavern. He was so new to the town, he had trouble finding the tavern and by the time he got there, the fight was over and it wasn’t a big deal, he said laughing.

Krebs first arrest was a DUI stop.

He said the most memorable incidents were usually search warrants and drug busts.

“They’re kind of scary when you don’t know what you’re getting into,” he said.

The hardest part of his career is notifying people when their loved ones have died.

“I don’t like that at all but it’s necessary to do,” he said.

Krebs also worked in Toppenish, Wash., and Zillah, Wash., before coming to Warden.

He began as a police officer in Warden in 1979. He was a lieutenant in the early 1980s and was promoted to police chief in 1995.

He got married and had a child, so he chose to stay in Warden for the long-term.

“I like the town and I like the people,” he said. “I decided to stay.”

He said he also enjoyed working with the city council, mayor and his police department personnel.

“It’s gratifying to work with really good personnel and know you can count on them, “ he said.

Krebs said he’s proud of the home watch program the police department implemented.

When someone goes out of town and leaves their home unattended, they tell the police department and extra patrols are provided. The police department will know if there is an intruder because they know the homeowner should be gone, he said.

“We’ve had success with that and it’s gratifying,” Krebs said. “That’s been really popular.”

He said he will miss the action of being in law enforcement.

“You don’t put on a uniform everyday for 20 plus years and not miss it,” he said.

He will always be curious about what’s going on when he hears emergency sirens and might ask for the inside scoop, the police chief said while laughing.

“I’ll want to know what’s going on,” he said. “I’ll want to be in on the action and be there for the arrests. It will be a relief and a curse.”

Krebs said he plans to stay in Warden. During his first month of retirement he might just lounge around, he said. He is also considering a part-time job.