Will Mobley, right, vice president of the Lion's Club, presents Lester Hunter with a plaque thanking him for 25 years of service to the Senath community. Photo provided [Click to enlarge]

SENATH, Mo. - For 25 years, Lester Hunter, of Senath, has served as a member of the Senath Police Department. On Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, at a party given by the city of Senath, Hunter hung up his badge, retiring as Senath's police chief.

"I've enjoyed serving and protecting the people and want to thank the board and mayor for letting me work so long," Hunter said.

"And for putting up with me," Hunter joked.

Hunter, who began his career in law enforcement as a patrolman in April 1983, under the late city marshal, Mose Hodge, attended the Basic Law Enforcement Academy at the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Division of the Department of Public Safety on July 27, 1984.

On July 21, 1994, Hunter was appointed to City Marshal after the former City Marshal Joe McLain resigned.

Since 1983, Hunter stated that he has worked with 53 certified police officers and two former city marshals. Hunter has also worked under four different mayors in the last two and a half decades.

As a sign of the times, Hunter said that when he started as a patrolman in 1983, his salary was $900 per month for 56 hours per week. That breaks down to just over $4 per hour.

When asked what his plans are now, Hunter replied, "I haven't even realized that I'm retired yet. I guess I'll take two or three weeks off, then I'm just going to work odd jobs and kind of take it easy for a while."

Hunter, whose term would have been up in April 2009, said he chose to retire now because his retirement age came before his term was up.

"I can still work on the side if they need me," Hunter said.

In a written statement, Hunter said that he would like to thank all the past and present board members, mayors, and the city of Senath for all the support he has had over the last 25 years.

"I had to be doing something right to stay in one place for 25 years," Hunter said.