SIDNEY -- Sidney Police Lt. Keith Andrew completed 33 years of service to the Sidney Police Department Sunday, November 5.

He has accepted a position with the State of Nebraska.

"You know, I say that I've had two jobs my entire adult life: the U.S. Military and here. When I first got out of the military, Sidney was the first place that hired me. My plan was to come here for a few years, get some experience and move on. My dream was to go to the Denver Metro area. Then life happened. I met my wife, we had kids and I'm still here. I love Sidney. Sidney is home and that's one of the biggest things. I don't want to leave, because I love this community," Lt. Andrew said Saturday, November 4. 

He said he always did his best for the Sidney community.

Law enforcement is a career, a calling really, for Andrew since he was a teen.

"You know, even when I was a young man -- I don't know if it was the TV shows you'd see back then or whatever -- even at 16 years old I wanted to be in law enforcement. I can't tell you why. It was just the way the Good Lord made me," he said.

After more than 30 years of service, there are many memories that stay with him. One of those memories is his safety record.

"One of the things I'm most proud of is 33 years of doing this job, and I've never had to fire my weapon in anger. I'm very proud of that. There's been a lot of scary nights, scary times, there's been very challenging times and there's also been times when like ... you realize you fought for somebody that couldn't fight for themselves and you got the outcome that that person needed for what they had been through," he said.

Andrew said one of the differences between a good law enforcement officer and one who is focused on moving up in the ranks is "you have to care." Communication is also critical in successful law enforcement. He said Sidney is a great community, noting that every community faces some level of crime. He added law enforcement is only as strong as the community it partners with. 

His last shift with the Sidney Police Department was Sunday, November 5.

Andrew said he is grateful for the citizens who have allowed him to work for them, and for the friendships he has made in Sidney.