Normandy Park Police Chief Rick Kieffer, 58, officially retires this Sunday after 33 years on the Force, 17 as Chief. A going away party including an afternoon ceremony was held today and tonight at Normandy Park City Hall. Members of the public and staff attended. Numerous accolades, photographs and mementos earned and collected by Chief Kieffer were on display. While well-wishers huddled around him, much attention was given to the furry bundle in the room, Paden, the well-groomed, affectionate German shepherd he and his wife, Mary consider their pet.

"He's a good tracking dog," Chief Kieffer told the Highline Times at the party. "I've used him occasionally (for police work), maybe a dozen times since we've had him. He's almost 11."

The Kieffers are soon off to France. He explained, "My wife's nephew is getting married in Paris and wants me to perform the wedding ceremony. I am an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church."

They lived in Texas, California, and Hawaii before moving here. He was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. So was his father, who attended the party.

"My father owned the Rainbow Ballroom in Rapid City," said Rick's dad, Jim, who served in Burma in World War II in the 1877th Engineer Aviation Battalion. "Then I turned the ballroom into a pancake house. We'd serve breakfast to over 300 people before 10:00 a.m. In '56 or so I had a friend who brought me out here and he fixed me up with painting facilities at Boeing. Then I became a utility service worker for Kent, where I live."

When the Chief retires Sunday, the current Assistant Chief, Chris Gaddis, becomes Interim Chief. He has a good shot at becoming the permanent chief.

"The process to hire a new chief starts in April," Assistant Chief Gaddis, 37, explained. "It's the City Manager's decision, but it sounds like they don't want to do a nationwide search."

He conveyed enormous admiration for Chief Kieffer.

"I was born in Port Orchard, and attended school in Ellensburg," he said. "I came here and was tested. Rick hired me. He promoted me to sergeant and got me my K-9, Skyler. I worked with him for nine years. We had to put him down last September. Rick promoted me to assistant chief. For the last 13 years he has been mentoring me and showing me the ropes.

"To put in 33 years and be the chief 17 years in any community is hard to do," Gaddis added. "But especially in Normandy Park you're judged on how well you perform and he's performed very well. He's steered me in the right direction and really opened up my eyes to the benefit of being involved in city functions and really getting out into the community and realizing that the community is truly your boss and if you don't understand that you're not going to be long for the law enforcement world, especially in Normandy Park. There are only 12 of us. When someone sees an officer drive down the road, more than likely they know us by name."

Officer Jerry Scheuerman retired two years ago.

"We were in academy class the same time," Officer Scheuerman said. "I started my training in April, Rick in May, and another retired Normandy Park officer, David Schnorr, started in June. That was in 1979 and the three of us made up half the force.

Chief Kieffer hired Officer Jeremy Hedrick, 30, in 2010. "We're definitely going to miss him around here," the young officer said.