Oxford Township lost one of its top cops last week ? a casualty of shrinking tax revenues and budget cuts.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Lt. Larry Perry bid farewell to the township substation he’s commanded with professionalism and integrity since March 2007.
‘It was an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of this community and hopefully, I’ll be able to come back one day,? said the 1984 Lake Orion High School graduate.
A Dec. 8 vote of the township board eliminated Perry’s $150,605 contract position as of Jan. 1.
Officials made the cut as a cost-saving measure. They are also considering consolidating the Oxford and Orion substations under one roof, a move that would save the communities a combined $859,178.
Until a final decision is made about the proposed consolidation, Sgt. Scott Patterson is temporarily in charge of the Oxford substation.
‘Working with the officers and the people in the community? was Perry’s favorite part of the job and it’s what he’ll miss most about it.
‘The guys and gals out here have done a phenomenal job for the residents of the township,? he said. ‘We’ve solved a lot of big crimes and taken some dangerous people off the streets.?
Perry, who’s known for his polite and respectful demeanor, first came to Oxford in 2000 and served as the school liaison officer until December 2001.
He returned to the substation as a sergeant in 2005. When Lt. Al Whitefield retired in February 2007, Perry was promoted to lieutenant and took over as substation commander the following month.
‘I’m going to miss a lot of the relationships and friendships that I’ve forged,? said Perry, who’s been with the department for 18 years. ‘It’s a great community to work in.?
Perry’s been reassigned to the sheriff’s Court Services Unit, which provides security for the Oakland County Court Building, the eight district courts and a number of county offices.
When he’s not busy there, Perry will continue serving as part of the sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT), which responds to critical situations involving barricaded gunmen, high-risk warrant arrests, drug raids and civil disturbances.
He’s been a member of the SRT for 11? years.