After more than three decades of law enforcement’Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy David Rheaume says it’s time to hang up the badge and retire.
‘I have loved every minute of my work in the Ortonville area,? said Rheaume, 59.
A 1973 Dryden High School graduate, Rheaume earned a degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University in 1977.
‘I started out as an English major, but due to the job forecast, I opted to seek a career in law enforcement,? he said.
In 1979 Rheaume hired into the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to the jail in Pontiac. He later transferred to the traffic division before joining the Brandon Township Substation in 1988. He retired on May 1.
‘I raised my children here and there’s no other place I’d rather be than in Brandon Township. Ninety-five percent of the people are law-abiding here, the other 5 percent make all the noise. It’s been a great job. My wife Liz has stood by my side for 33 years’it’s not easy being married to a cop. I love her for that. Our children Phillip and Erin both graduated from Brandon High School and now have very successful careers.?
‘After 36 years in law enforcement I have watched the changes in technology, but it’s the same job in the end,? he said. ‘I still have faith that people are good rather than bad. I want people to be treated fair’go in easy and you can always ramp it up. Respect is earned. Once you have it great things happen.?
Rheaume will continue to work part time for the sheriff’s office and enjoy hunting and fishing during retirement.