Almost 30 years on the job and 18 different positions, Gastonia Police Capt. Steve Duncan has left an impression on many. And many of those shared their stories at a retirement party in his honor Monday at the Gastonia Police Department.
Duncan, who retired Dec. 1, joined the Police Department in 1985 as a patrol officer. Before that he’d spent a year working at the Gaston County Jail for the Sheriff’s Department. Since then, the 50-year-old Duncan has been in everything from vice and narcotics and criminal investigations to a field training officer. But he can’t pick a favorite.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed every assignment so picking just one would be tough. I think it would be a toss-up between the street crime unit and criminal investigations,” he said. “Both these incorporate all aspects of law enforcement into one and both provide an opportunity to work closely with people to resolve a specific issue.”
Duncan was instrumental in bringing the national sniper conference to Gastonia and helped train Navy designated marksmen. He’s proud to have served his career with Gastonia Police. “Law enforcement has gotten much more dangerous over the years with gangs and drugs, but it is still a great profession with so many rewards and I will miss it every day,” Duncan said. “The thing I enjoyed most was working with people, citizens and officers. It is very rewarding when you are able to help someone at a difficult time in their lives or share in something special.”
At his retirement party, Duncan was awarded numerous plaques and certificates, his firearm, a key to the city and other relics of honor. City, police and even military officials spoke of Duncan at the gathering. “He’s provided a great service to the city. He’s kept our citizens safe and our city safe,” said Gastonia City Manager Ed Munn.
Former Mayor Jennie Stultz shared similar sentiments. “Everyday I knew we were in good shape as long as he was in charge,” she said.
Duncan thanked everyone for attending the party, before receiving a standing ovation.
“I’ve laughed with each of you, cried with a few of you and will never forget any of you,” Duncan said.
Now a retiree, Duncan will work on doing just that – being a retiree. But he’ll still have his hands in the Gaston Young Guns Youth Shooting team and continue to be a firearms instructor as a reserve officer.
You can reach reporter Lauren Baheri at 704-869-1842 or Twitter.com/lbaheri.