“Serving was the honor of my life"

“Serving was the honor of my life, and I encourage anyone to consider volunteering,” said Lawrence Police Department Chief Gary Woodruff.

Chief Woodruff started his law enforcement career in the US Army Military Police, serving 1983-1986. Back then, the recruiting slogan for military service was, “it’s a great place to start.” Chief Woodruff says that he discovered the slogan to be absolutely true.

 “I wasn’t really college-bound material at that stage of life. I knew I needed the discipline and confidence building only military service delivers,” Chief Woodruff recalled. “You learn quickly where you thought your limits were, and how to push yourself beyond them.”

 After completing Basic Training & MP School at Ft McClellan, AL, Chief Woodruff was stationed at the joint Army-Air Force US Forces Police Station in Kaiserslautern, Germany, from March 1984-September 1985. At the time, “K-Town” was the largest American community outside of the US, and the US Forces Police Station was the largest & busiest law enforcement operation in the armed forces.

Upon returning to the US, Chief Woodruff was stationed right here at Ft Benjamin Harrison, at the US Army Criminal Investigations Division for his last year of military service.

Chief Woodruff believes any employer would benefit from hiring veterans in their workplace. “Volunteering for US military service remains the single best career choice I have ever made,” remarked Chief Woodruff. “The confidence instilled, the experiences accrued, are invaluable. Military service provides the foundation from which to build the rest of your life and career. I have applied skills learned through military service every day.”