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5/24/2005 7:00:00 PM Email this article • Print this article
Former police chief, sheriff taking on retirement
Retirement celebration planned for June 18
Sarah Stevens
Staff Writer
After serving Preble County for 36 years in law enforcement, Camden Police Chief Paul Plaugher heads into retirement this summer.
Plaugher's many years of experience include his time with the Camden Police Department, service as a sheriff's deputy, and a single term as Preble County Sheriff.
Spanning over three decades, his diverse career has stood the test of time.
In October 1969, at the age of 23, Plaugher joined the Preble County Sheriff's Department as a special deputy, which he explained was an auxiliary position.
"I had become friends with the Camden Police Chief at that time, Jim Doty," Plaugher began.
"I started riding with him and he mentioned that I should get into special deputies."
Doty soon introduced Plaugher to then-Preble County Sheriff John Stover.
"Jim told John I'd make a good special deputy, but I didn't know what it was," Plaugher smiled.
"He explained it to me and I said, 'Yeah.' Then he swore me in."
During the course of Plaugher's training, Stover asked him to be a deputy sheriff.
"He asked me on a Thursday, I said yes, and I started on that following Saturday night at 10," Plaugher laughed.
At the time, Plaugher said he worked 10 hours a day, six days a week and his salary was $6,400 a year.
In January 1973, Plaugher left the sheriff's department and stepped into his first role as Camden Police Chief. After a short-lived experience, he headed back to the PCSO on May 1, 1973.
"It wasn't the same, so I came back. I came back home," Plaugher said.
He continued his career in law enforcement, branching out over the years by delving into new territory.
In 1978, he was promoted to sergeant within the PCSO, later in 1980 he was promoted again to chief deputy, and in 1984 Plaugher served one term as Preble County Sheriff.
"I ran for sheriff and was elected," he said.
After his term was up, Plaugher started his own private detective agency called P&R Investigations. Through the early 1990s, he worked for Butler County Job and Family Services as a fraud investigator.
In 1993, Plaugher headed back to his hometown to do his final stint as Camden police chief.
"They had an opening and I wasn't done with law enforcement yet," he said.
For Plaugher, law enforcement was always a passion, something he just had to do.
"It's just something that I love," he noted.
"Helping people and solving crimes."
Plaugher added, "I loved it so much that, for the first couple of years, I would ride with guys when I was on vacation.
"I don't know how to explain it. It's just something that's in my blood."
Plaugher's career might be over, but his legacy lives on through his 24-year-old son, Paul, who currently works for the PCSO. Even though he realizes the downsides of the job first-hand, Plaugher said he is proud his son followed in his footsteps.
"It's dangerous, but I know he loves it like I do," Plaugher said.
He added, "He told me he wants to be as good a cop as I was, and I told him he has to be better."
Plaugher said, even though he'll miss the "big events," he's ready for retirement.
"I'm getting to the age where the younger people need to take over.
"It's time to get out and relax a little," he smiled.
As he leaves one chapter, another begins. Plaugher plans on continuing his private detective business, as well as babysitting his grandchildren.
His wife, Judy, and children are planning a retirement celebration for Saturday, June 18, from 2-5 p.m. at Eaton Fire Station #2. They welcome friends, family and co-workers to celebrate with them his long career and service to the county.
5/24/2005 7:00:00 PM Email this article • Print this article
Former police chief, sheriff taking on retirement
Retirement celebration planned for June 18
Sarah Stevens
Staff Writer
After serving Preble County for 36 years in law enforcement, Camden Police Chief Paul Plaugher heads into retirement this summer.
Plaugher's many years of experience include his time with the Camden Police Department, service as a sheriff's deputy, and a single term as Preble County Sheriff.
Spanning over three decades, his diverse career has stood the test of time.
In October 1969, at the age of 23, Plaugher joined the Preble County Sheriff's Department as a special deputy, which he explained was an auxiliary position.
"I had become friends with the Camden Police Chief at that time, Jim Doty," Plaugher began.
"I started riding with him and he mentioned that I should get into special deputies."
Doty soon introduced Plaugher to then-Preble County Sheriff John Stover.
"Jim told John I'd make a good special deputy, but I didn't know what it was," Plaugher smiled.
"He explained it to me and I said, 'Yeah.' Then he swore me in."
During the course of Plaugher's training, Stover asked him to be a deputy sheriff.
"He asked me on a Thursday, I said yes, and I started on that following Saturday night at 10," Plaugher laughed.
At the time, Plaugher said he worked 10 hours a day, six days a week and his salary was $6,400 a year.
In January 1973, Plaugher left the sheriff's department and stepped into his first role as Camden Police Chief. After a short-lived experience, he headed back to the PCSO on May 1, 1973.
"It wasn't the same, so I came back. I came back home," Plaugher said.
He continued his career in law enforcement, branching out over the years by delving into new territory.
In 1978, he was promoted to sergeant within the PCSO, later in 1980 he was promoted again to chief deputy, and in 1984 Plaugher served one term as Preble County Sheriff.
"I ran for sheriff and was elected," he said.
After his term was up, Plaugher started his own private detective agency called P&R Investigations. Through the early 1990s, he worked for Butler County Job and Family Services as a fraud investigator.
In 1993, Plaugher headed back to his hometown to do his final stint as Camden police chief.
"They had an opening and I wasn't done with law enforcement yet," he said.
For Plaugher, law enforcement was always a passion, something he just had to do.
"It's just something that I love," he noted.
"Helping people and solving crimes."
Plaugher added, "I loved it so much that, for the first couple of years, I would ride with guys when I was on vacation.
"I don't know how to explain it. It's just something that's in my blood."
Plaugher's career might be over, but his legacy lives on through his 24-year-old son, Paul, who currently works for the PCSO. Even though he realizes the downsides of the job first-hand, Plaugher said he is proud his son followed in his footsteps.
"It's dangerous, but I know he loves it like I do," Plaugher said.
He added, "He told me he wants to be as good a cop as I was, and I told him he has to be better."
Plaugher said, even though he'll miss the "big events," he's ready for retirement.
"I'm getting to the age where the younger people need to take over.
"It's time to get out and relax a little," he smiled.
As he leaves one chapter, another begins. Plaugher plans on continuing his private detective business, as well as babysitting his grandchildren.
His wife, Judy, and children are planning a retirement celebration for Saturday, June 18, from 2-5 p.m. at Eaton Fire Station #2. They welcome friends, family and co-workers to celebrate with them his long career and service to the county.
