This month, Jim Marquardt, is celebrating a half-century of protecting and serving Alpena as an officer with the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office. Serving 50 years, especially with one agency, is an unusual accomplishment in law enforcement.

Marquardt has been sheriff and a deputy and currently works with the DARE program in local schools and serves as a bailiff for the county’s court system.

Marquardt said he began thinking about becoming a police officer when he was in grade school, because an officer would visit the one-room schools to talk about public safety issues.

“There was something about seeing the the deputy’s size and uniform that I was really in awe with,” Marquardt said.

News File Photo Then-Alpena County Sheriff Deputy Jim Marquardt, left, and then-Sheriff Tom Male, center, accept a plaque from National Child Safety Council representative Hazel Benning in this August 1979 Alpena News file photo.

He said his passion for law enforcement increased though high school and his dream of wearing a police uniform became a reality in 1969, when he was hired as a deputy for Alpena County. He stayed with the county his whole career, serving as sheriff from 1995 until 2004.

“I think the main reason I’m still around today is because I enjoy people and love serving them,” Marquardt said. “I love working with the kids. It is still a joy for me to be in the uniform every day.”

Tim Marquardt, Jim Marquardt’s son, said his father initially encouraged him to explore other career options when he decided to become a police officer. He did, for a spell, but it became apparent his true calling was law enforcement. Once he decided to pursue it, his father offered his full support. The younger Marquardt has been a police officer in Alpena now for nearly 25 years.

“I grew up with my father coming home every day in his uniform and taking me to the jail to visit his comrades, and it really rubbed off on me,” Tim Marquardt said. “He always asked me if I was sure that is what I wanted to do, because he knew everything that was involved. He didn’t push me into it, but, once I made up my mind, he was behind me.”

Jim Marquardt said he is proud of his son for the service he has provided for the Alpena community. His son is also a DARE officer who will help to continue the program after he retires from it in May.

Tim Marquardt said his father’s accomplishments over the last five decades will be hard for anyone to duplicate.

“In my opinion, you may never see this again, or rarely, in the law enforcement profession, in that uniform,” Tim Marquardt said. “I know I certainly won’t last that long. Lasting 50 years would be really tough to do.”

Tracy Marquardt, Tim Marquardt’s wife, said her father-in-law is a very giving and gracious man and she is extremely proud of him. She said his love for Alpena and its people were likely key to his longevity.

“Jim is one of those people that would do anything for anyone,” she said. “Fifty years in law enforcement is an amazing accomplishment, and we are extremely proud of all the years he’s given selflessly to his community.”

During his time fighting crime, Jim Marquardt said he always tried to treat people fairly, even those who may have taken issue with him. He said he always tried to follow his father’s advice, to use his eyes and ears and not let his mouth get in his way. And, above all, he tried to use common sense.

“I always tried to emulate that in my life,” he said. “I have always tried to keep my eyes and ears open, because you would be surprised what you will learn. My dad told me to serve the people. All of them. And make them happy.”

About a year ago, Undersheriff Terry King, who was the first deputy Marquardt hired when he became sheriff, caught wind that his mentor was considering retirement. He knew how close to the 50-year mark Jim Marquardt was and urged him to hold out for one more year. Marquardt agreed, not because of the historic anniversary, but mostly because he still loved his job.

“I begged him to give me one more year,” King said. “I wanted this for the department, for him, for me, and for the community, and now here we are. To serve 50 years is really astronomical and an unbelievable feat and is unheard of. He has represented our office, the area, with dignity, and has always been top-notch. I’m so proud of him.”

King said it is extremely unlikely he will get anywhere near 50 years in service when he decides to retire.

Although he is stepping down from DARE and letting his son and King take the reins, Marquardt will continue to work security in the courts and enjoy his time with his younger comrades.

He said it seems his career went by in a flash and, for the most part, he has enjoyed all of it. His time to retire entirely is not here, yet, Marqaurdt said, and he is unsure when that time will come.

“My last day for DARE will be tough,” Marquardt said, a touch of emotion showing. “But the sheriff and undersheriff have asked me to stay on as a bailiff, so I’ll still do that and be around for a little while longer.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpeanews.com.