Officer Marvin Parker

He realized that goal by working part of his career with Brookings Police Department as a school resource officer at Azalea Middle School and Brookings-Harbor High School.

Before joining the Brookings force, Parker was an officer for the California Highway Patrol and an officer for the Gold Beach and Myrtle Point police departments.

He ended a 33-year run in law enforcement Tuesday, enjoying cake with his co-workers during a get-together at City Hall. Appropriately, the chocolate cake was decorated with tiny paper American flags and a plastic revolver.

Police Chief Chris Wallace acknowledged Parker’s vast amount of experience by saying he has “a ton of knowledge” from his years in police work.

“He was a real benefit to the city, especially with his knowledge of traffic control,” Wallace said.

Sgt. Terry Murray agreed that Parker brought lots of expertise to the Brookings department.

“He came here with the wisdom of a seasoned officer,” Murray said. “He’s seen it all.”

Parker was born in Coos Bay and raised in California. He jokingly declined to reveal his age, saying only, “I’m not quite older than dirt.”

He said his strongest memory will be “the good people I worked with.”

Parker downplayed his contributions over the years, insisting he was just a member of the team wherever he worked. And like most police officers, he acknowledged fearing for his own safety at times.

“But that was just part of the job,” he said.

Parker added that he enjoyed the variety of assignments that police work offered. Ninety percent of the job involves communicating with people, he said.

“We listen and understand what the problems are in the community. We get our power not from a badge but from the people in the community.”

While Parker’s reputation includes a good sense of humor, Lt. Donny Dotson said it was his serious side that most impressed colleagues.

“He’s passionate about this service we provide,” Dotson said. “He has always been completely dedicated to the mission.”