One division, 33 years

Ryan Carter

BURBANK -- Officer Dennis Fischer was getting ready for a snack at

Harry’s Family Restaurant when he heard the call -- a woman in a Honda

Civic was leading police on a chase and she was speeding through Burbank.

It was Tuesday, the day before Fischer’s retirement after 33 years of

service, and sitting there at Harry’s even his friend and colleague

Officer Mark Neufeld didn’t want to see Fischer in danger in the last

days of his career. But for Fischer, 54, it was part of his job.

“I said, ‘What a way to go out. Let’s do it,’ ” Fischer said.

For a short time, Fischer was the second car in the pursuit before it

went into Glendale and Burbank officers were called off the chase.

But it was one more adventure at the end of a proud career.

Fischer’s last day was Wednesday after spending more than three

decades in the department’s Patrol Division -- making him one of the few

officers who sticks to a specific assignment for an entire career.

“You just reach a point where you know it’s the right thing to do,”

Fischer said.

Officials marvel at Fischer’s longevity in a division where the work

is notorious for taking a toll.

“It’s a real credit when someone can withstand the physical rigor of

that job for so long,” Police Sgt. Bill Taylor said. “For 33 years,

that’s incredible.”

Through the years, Fischer said he’s been able to compensate for

slowing physical abilities with refined people skills, wisdom and

experience, traits Taylor said are invaluable when priority calls come

in.

When Fischer started May 1, 1969, officers patrolled a relatively

homogenous city with local fast-food dives with names like The Dip. Now,

officers drive into scenes where witnesses might speak several languages

and have varying attitudes toward police, Fischer said.

Fischer, a Vietnam War veteran, came to the department with a crop of

young officers out of the military. He attributed his longevity in patrol

to a strong religious faith, a love for the job and camaraderie.

Now, Fischer will spend more time with family and his hobbies of

woodworking and boat building. He hopes he’s left his mark on the

department.

“I thought it would be an interesting career,” he said. “It was.”