“The people here have always been a family,” said Szykulski, who started as a reserve officer in 1984 and retired as deputy chief. “If there’s a legacy from way back when, it was: everybody just cared about each other, and as we grew, that grew.”
Along the way, he worked in nearly every division, including a final farewell honorary stint as a K-9 handler.
“The paths that I’ve crossed with everybody–I’ve taken something from those meetings,” he said. “That’s made me the person I am.”
Szykulski also remembers so many of the people he helped in what may have been the worst moments of their lives–no matter how, why, or when they called 911 for help.
“People don’t know who to call, so you’ve gone on broken water heater (calls) and whatever,” he recalled. “You’re just there to help people the best you can and give them some advice.”
He was around long enough to remember Blaine when it was a more rural city–including the daily opening and closing of Main Street for cattle to cross from one field to the next.
His retirement ceremony allowed city and department leaders from past and present–including former Mayors Tom Ryan and Tim Sanders and Police Chief Brian Podany.
“It was really just an honor,” Szykulski said through tears. “Really heartfelt.”
After a brief vacation in Florida, Szykulski said he intends to spend as much time volunteering as he can–and lots of time on his boat up at the lake.
The city promoted Captain Dan Pelkey to be deputy chief. Pelkey is the city’s emergency management director, also.
