Savage leaves law enforcement in style
DECATUR — “Decatur 1, Chief Joe Savage, 10-7 for the final time, April 30, 2020,” was the last radio transmission to Benton County dispatch that one 29-year law enforcement veteran sent out over the airwaves.
Decatur Police Chief Joe Savage spent his last morning as the Decatur Chief of Police wondering what was going on around the police station, particularly since he was all alone in his now-empty office. His suspicions were confirmed when his replacement, Steve Grizzle, led Savage to a lone office chair parked on the sidewalk near Main Street in Decatur.
Then, right on cue, his wife Donna and the entire Savage clan mysteriously appeared across the street in the Dollar General parking lot.
As Savage’s attention was focused on his family and a few close friends, traffic on Main Street suddenly came to a grinding halt. At 11:30 on a Thursday morning was unusual for Decatur. Suddenly, a volley of sirens filled the air when units from Decatur Police Department, followed by Decatur Fire Department units 2412 and 2451 led a parade of around 40 cars and trucks from various police departments and city of Decatur employees made up a long processional that stretched back to Buckner Avenue half a mile away.
As his units passed by, Savage gave a smart salute, to which they responded in kind for the last time. The list of departments that joined in the retirement parade included Gentry, Gravette, Highfill, Centerton, Sulphur Springs, Pea Ridge, Bentonville, Rogers, Lowell, Bethel Heights, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Constable, Gentry Fire Department, Northwest Ambulance Service and a pair of motorcycle units from Benton County.
After Savage made his final call to dispatch, Tina Eggebrecht took the call and responded: “On August 1, 1991, you took the first step of your walk along the thin blue line. For the next 10,727 days (29 years, 8 months) you honorably walked the beat while serving the citizens of Benton County by way of the Sheriff’s Office and the cities of Sulphur Springs, Gentry, Gravette and finally Decatur. From K9 handling to pressure point tactics, SWAT tactics to sniper, you sought to be your best.
From field training officer to professional instructor, you sought to help guide and mentor others to be their best. You willingly shared your knowledge, wisdom and experience to the benefit of not only those who walked the thin blue line with you but the communities for which you diligently served.
Today’s parade is a small reflection of the impact you have had on your thin blue line family, as well as citizens near and far. They say a man’s worth can be measured by the lives he has touched. Well, Chief, you, sir, have touched many and influenced countless more. Your worth is immeasurable and your mark on our world is a legacy that will not be forgotten nor erased.
Congratulation and best wishes on your retirement.”
Shortly after signing off, Savage turned his law enforcement identification and his badge to Chief Steve Grizzle, who intern handed Savage his retirement law enforcement identification. Finally, Savage was formally retired from law enforcement.
He now plans on pursuing another passion of his by opening a motorcycle repair shop near his home in Decatur.
Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp, who worked closely with Savage since he took over the chief’s position from Terry Luker in May of 2017, praised him for his work in modernizing the Decatur Police Department.
“It has been my pleasure to work with Chief Savage. During his time as chief for our police department, he has developed and led the department professionally and our patrolman staff has become stronger,” Tharp remarked. “He has promoted patrolman wisely and developed them professionally. His ability to manage the finances of the department is his strength. Finally, over the past months that I have known he was going to retire, we have worked closely with the selection of Chief Steven Grizzle, who assumes the position in our police department. Chief Joe will be missed by the city employees and myself. He always has a story to tell and bring laughter to the room.”
The show of love and support by his fellow officers on his final day was a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the protection of the communities he served for almost three decades. Congratulation on your retirement. You will be missed by all who have had the honor of working and associating with you.
“Decatur 1 10-7 signing off for the final time.”