Colorado's oldest cop at 73 retires: "It's been one hell of a party."

Kirkland 2012

Deputy Kirkland 1988

DOUGLAS COUNTY - At age 50, when most people start thinking about winding down, Mike Kirkland decided to be a cop.  So, in 1987, he entered the police academy with a bunch of 20-year-olds.  He claims he had no problems keeping up.

"I left them in the dust."

Deputy Kirkland 2012

For the first few years with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Mike worked as a volunteer deputy, then in 2007, he became a paid commissioned officer.  He immediately got a lot of guff from his co-workers.

"I've had people say to me, 'You're kind of old for a cop, aren't you?'" Kirkland said.

Like most deputies, he worked in the jail, on solo patrol, served civil warrants, investigated property crimes and crimes against people, went undercover and conducted background checks before ending up in his last assignment, working with the public in community resources. 

 "I owe the sheriff for allowing me to do this at my age and to keep making a contribution," the deputy said.  "The whole thing's been a party. I haven't done anything that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed."

 One of his partners was Sgt. Ron Hanavan.

"Working with Mike was such a privilege.  He's been a team member and a mentor and I consider him family.  Even though he was part time, he was here every day and whenever we needed him.  I will miss seeing him so often," Hanavan said.  "Mike is a doer and nothing can hold him back.  He recently traded in his old Harley for a new one with a side car.  Mike took a class on how to drive it and steer out of danger by throwing the side car in the air while the motorcycle is on two wheels.  It's difficult to explain and even harder to do. It just shows how incredible he is and that nothing can slow him down."

Lou and Mike Kirkland

After 25 years on the job, Kirkland's hanging up his uniform and badge on Friday and will help protect his community as a Community Safety Volunteer (CSV).  Mike knows CSV's only have to be 20.

"If I had to retire to my town house in Texas, this would be devastating.  But being a CSV, I'll still see folks and get to spend time with people," Kirkland said.  "I'll really miss the daily camaraderie of this job, but it's being softened by being a CSV."

 Mike has served under the leadership of three sheriffs.

Kirklands five kids

"Mike's a man who has taken on the responsibility of selflessly giving back to his community," Sheriff David Weaver said. "Words can't express the gratitude we feel for the services he provides to residents in the community he loves."

Mike's age and experience benefited him as a deputy.  He'd previously served in the U.S. Air Force as a combat patroller and did a couple of tours in Vietnam.  He was in Washington during the Nixon-Ford years and calls them "amazing times." He retired from the Air Force in 1976 in Omaha, NB.

Mike's grandaughter

In 1990, Kirkland began working for Miter Corporation as a systems engineer on an advanced underground command post.  When that project was done, he moved to Colorado to work in Cheyenne Mountain on a missile warning system and in NORAD's counter drug program.  He even got to work on a replacement for Air Force One.

With a masters degree in criminal justice, Kirkland is also the lead faculty area chair for the criminal justice department at the University of Phoenix. He'll keep teaching after retiring as a deputy. Kirkland just doesn't slow down.

Mike's grandaughter

He loves motorcycles and fishing, netting a 39-inch lake trout two years ago. He's a hunter, a dog trainer and a husband of 25 years to his darling bride Lou.

"I want him to have more time to do all the fun things he loves to do," Lou said.

Three years ago when his wife got cancer, Mike remembers the incredible outpouring of support from everyone inside the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.  "There's still not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me about Lou," he said.  While Lou has recovered, their oldest daughter is battling breast cancer.

Mike and Lou have five kids who all live in Omaha.  Lori, Mariann, Susan, Michelle, and John.  They also have two grandkids, Samantha and Rex.

As his retirement party at the Sheriff's Office wrapped up Wednesday afternoon, all of the commissioned officers stood and saluted him. Sheriff Weaver said, "Job well done."

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