I got into Law Enforcement in 1976 as a Deputy Sheriff for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept. I worked full time for approx. 5 months and then went back into the Grocery business because my wife didn't like the fact that I was working all of the time and gone a lot. I continued though to work for the Sheriffs Dept. on a part-time basis and at the same time worked 30 hrs. a week or more for the Fairbury Police Dept. part-time at night while working 40 hrs a week for the local Safeway Store.

On Oct. 31st. 1978 I went to work full time again for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept. and was able to attend the Nebraska Law Enforcement Center in the 46th basic and graduated in January 1979.

I continued to work as a Captain with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept. and was promoted to Chief Deputy in June of 1990. I continued to work investigation and really enjoyed working drug related cases.

On December 1st 1990 I was appointed to Chief of Police Fairbury Nebraska a position I still presently hold. Since 1990 I have been a board member for NELEIN ( NEBRASKA LAW ENFORCEMENT INTELLIGENCE NETWORK) as the publicity chairman. From October 1998 through October 2001 I served a coordinator for the RURAL APPREHENSION PROGRAM, ( R.A.P. drug task force.) Also in August of 2001 I was certified as a first responder Meth Lab Tech. I believe I might be the oldest Lab tech in the State of Nebraska, but I enjoy working them immensely.

In 2002, I filled an appointed seat on the P.O.A.N. board which was vacated by Brian Souice when he left Law Enforcement. I was re-elected to the P.O.A.N. board at the last meeting of the full membership attending the annual Conference.

I would like to say that on the non professional side of my life that I have been very happily married for 36 years to my lovely wife Shirley and we enjoy our time with our two sons. Craig who is married and living in St. Peters Missouri and has given us three grandchildren. I have three grandchildren, Chase who is 8 years old, Riley who is 6 years old and Haley who is 2 years old. Also our youngest son Cory who is attending Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and due to graduate Next fall.

Rick L. Carmichael
Retired Chief of Police
Fairbury, Nebraska

© 2005 Police Officers' Association of Nebraska. All Rights Reserved.