LEXINGTON — Tracy Wolf, Chief of the Lexington Police Department retired after 40 years of service and was honored with a public reception at the Lexington Grand Generation Center on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Captain Paul Schwarz recounted Wolf’s history with the department, “Wolf began his law enforcement career with the Lexington Police Department in December of 1983. Chief Wolf advanced through the ranks within the Lexington Police Department and served as acting Chief in 2009, and again in 2010 and in 2011 was promoted to Chief of Police.”
Prior to beginning his law enforcement career, Chief Wolf worked for Sperry New Holland in Lexington and then served our Nation in the United States Army where he served as a Lance Missile Crewman, Schwarz said.
Following his military service, Chief Wolf was hired by the Lexington Police Department (LPD) in 1983 and attended the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center graduating in 1984.
Schwarz quipped that some of the younger officers with the department had not yet been born when Wolf began his law enforcement career.
“Chief Wolf was an active state certified Firearms Instructor and Self Defense Instructor in different principals for 35 years. Chief Wolf was assigned as a field training officer and oversaw the department’s training program for approximately 25 years preparing new officers for solo duty,” Schwarz said.
Wolf became a certified Taser Instructor in 2001 and implemented the program at the Lexington Police Department the following year. The LPD was one of the first cities in Nebraska to have such a program in place.
Wolf served on numerous boards, which includes South Central Area Law Enforcement Services, the CODE Federal Drug Task Force, and served on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
In 2016 Chief Wolf was appointed by then Governor Pete Ricketts to serve on the Police Standards Advisory Council at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center.
In 2018 he was elected to chair of the Police Standards Advisory Council and was also appointed by Governor Ricketts to serve on the Nebraska Crime Commission representing the council.
Also in 2018, Wolf was one of the select group of regional leaders invited to meet with F.B.I. Director Christoper Wray at the Omaha Field Office.
In 2020 he was reappointed by Governor Ricketts to the Police Standards Advisory Council which he served until his retirement.
“Chief Wolf has always served with a high level of integrity and honor and has set a very high standard for his officers and his department,” Schwarz said, “Chief Wolf was never one to simply sit behind his desk and direct the department. He was always on calls and major investigations leading his officers and investigators.”
“Chief Wolf always supported his officers and was always willing to listen and help any way he could. Those of us that worked with Chief Wolf back in the ‘wild days’ always understood he would be right there with you and usually in the lead of whatever type of case we may have been involved in. Anyone that has worked with Chief Wolf has a tremendous amount of respect for him,” Schwarz said.
“Chief Wolf was personally responsible for updating our patrol fleet to the black and white, police package units. He was responsible for all the upgrades to the vehicles, gear, equipment as well as our department training program. Chief Wolf also implemented our patrol rifle program in 2009 ensuring each officer had their own patrol rifle on each shift,” said Schwarz said.
Chief Wolf and I worked directly together to obtain Accreditation for the Lexington Police Department,” Schwarz said, “With Chief Wolf at the helm, the Lexington Police Department has successfully lowered the city’s crime rate consistently the past 13 years.”
“Each and everyone one of us at the Lexington Police Department thank you Chief Wolf for everything. Enjoy your retirement and know in your heart ‘We will keep the watch from here,’” Schwarz concluded.
Wolf also took to the podium, stating, “When I graduated from military school and the police academy, I always told mom and dad not to worry about taking time off, it’s not a big deal. However, those ceremonies were big deals and one you should always share with your family.”
“When I started, we had three jail cells and we housed female prisoners,” Wolf said, “We had some old ballistic vests, but each officer did not have his own ballistic vest until a couple of years later. Looking back now, we were issued revolvers and shotguns and that led to semi autos and carbine rifles.”
“There were no cell phones or computers. It was typewriters, carbon paper, card files, cassette tape recorders, VHS recorders and polaroid cameras. 35 mm cameras were also the norm, and you didn’t know until the film came back if you had good, bad or no pictures,” Wolf said.
You had to know how to use a phone book and a dictionary.
“Our radio systems were basic but reliable. Portable radios were not really portable,” Wolf said, “The cars only had AM radio in them, so you were not distracted. Now there are computers, printers, in car cameras, body cameras and other devices that makes you wonder how they could not be distracted.”
“An accident report was one page front and back and now it is 9 to 13 pages, the reports that the officers are required to fill out are not much better,” Wolf said.
“Today’s officers have so much more pressure on them and the philosophy of ‘Keep it Simple’ is very hard to abide by,” said Wolf.
“With all the mandated distractions, and our law makers making our jobs much more complex, I have always worried that analysis-paralysis would cause the hesitation that could get one of our officers hurt,” Wolf stated.
“It is a very rewarding job and until you have worn the uniform, you cannot understand the weight that comes with it. These are very special men and women. I will miss the profession but mostly the wonderful people that I have worked with. Please back the blue,” Wolf concluded.
A room packed with law enforcement officers, local officials and residents rose to their feet for a standing ovation.
