MANSON - Manson Chief of Police Tom Ritts came to this Calhoun County town back in 1979 as a patrolman. Just two months after he was hired, a tornado rated an F4 at the time ripped through Manson destroying everything in its path.
"I was just getting used to everything," Ritts said, "and the tornado wiped out every one of my landmarks. ... I couldn't find anything anywhere."
In the aftermath of the tornado, the Manson Police Department was on a steep learning curve.
"Nowadays we have policies in place to cover a natural disaster," Ritts said, "but back then we had virtually nothing."
Describing the dangerous situation that existed, Ritts said there were houses in the middle of streets, downed power lines, and buildings on the verge of collapse.
"We were going through about a set of tires a day on the squad car," Ritts said. "They were shredded with the glass, nails, and everything that was in the streets."
"We worked 12-hour shifts, two men to a car," he said. "Seemed like we were on them forever. Twelve on, twelve off, no days off - go home, eat, sleep and come back."
Ritts said that the Manson Police Department and then Police Chief Erwin Janssen had outside help from state and county agencies.
"We even had the National Guard troops assisting with who came into the city," he said.
Ritts said that the department quickly learned that communication was an important factor in serving and protecting the citizens of Manson.
"We had to keep communication lines open and flowing between the Fire Department, mayor, and ambulance crews," he said.
Of course there were no cell phones at the time, and Ritts said there were no landlines in town for about a week.
"We had nothing that closely resembled phone service," he said. "The dispatchers from Calhoun County were a godsend to us. They were our central hub for communication. ... Luckily, I was paired up with Del Hall, who knew everyone in town. If we needed to get a message to someone, Del knew how to find them. ... Oh boy, did I get to know people. But it's a hard way to get to know them. ... You'd rather it be during a nice, quiet time."
Thirty years have passed. Ritts still lives in Manson with his wife, Sandy Ritts.
Together they have raised four children, one of whom was lost in an auto accident, and now they enjoy their nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Except for an occasional tree down and some times of heavy rain and flooding, Manson has experienced no big, natural disasters since Ritts' first summer on the job.
"Since then, the general police work has been normal and that's suited us just fine," Ritts said. "Normal police work in a small town consists of everything from answering calls to help citizens, to assisting the Fire Department with traffic control, to assisting at accident scenes close to the city limits."
Small town police officers wear many hats. They answer domestic calls, handle theft and vandalism, and deal with lost animals.
Ritts said, "I like to think that the majority of people look upon us as a friend."
That's why he's stayed with police work in a small town rather than move on to a bigger place.
"I like the ability to deal with people and call them by name," Ritts said. "It's great. Then, when I have to deal with them in a professional capacity I'm not dealing with a stranger, and they are not dealing with a stranger."
He said that building such relationships makes it possible to handle police matters more quickly and in a professional manner.
"When I deal with people," Ritts said, "I say, 'let's get this over and done with and put it behind you-you can always move forward.'"
Ritts became the Manson chief of police in May 1997.
"I never thought I'd be chief," he said. "I really miss Erwin a lot. I like to think I learned a lot from him."
Janssen, who is now retired and lives in Palmer, said, "Tom had been there a long time, and there was no doubt in my mind that he'd make a great chief."
Ritts said that the majority of his job now is running the department.
"I have to weigh the needs of the officers and balance those with the needs of the citizens and the needs of the City Council," he said. "Hopefully, the needs of those three factions balance out in the end so that everyone is happy."
Ritts has four full-time officers and one reserve officer in the department.
"I have been so proud of my guys," he said. "We work together as a cohesive unit."
Ritts said that an example of that was evident when the Manson Police Department worked with Manson Northwest Webster High School on a bomb threat this year.
"I was so proud of my people and the responding officers that came to help us," he said.
"Our main priority was our students," Ritts said, "They are our most valuable resource, and we wanted to make them feel safe to go back in that building."
Ritts said that the Fire Department, the ambulance crew, all the police departments in Calhoun County as well as the Sheriff's Department assisted.
Calhoun Count Sheriff Bill Davis said, "Sometimes in law enforcement, as in other areas, people can get territorial, but Tom is always willing to take our help and help us out. It's nice to work that way."
Ritts said that that because the Manson Police Department had assisted other towns with bomb threats, the officers were well-versed with what needed to be done and how to do it.
Ritts said that an example of that was evident when the Manson Police Department worked with Manson Northwest Webster High School on a bomb threat this year.
"I was so proud of my people and the responding officers that came to help us," he said.
Ritts said that all the police departments in Calhoun County as well as the Sheriff's Department, the Fire Department, and the ambulance crew assisted.
"Our main priority was our students," Ritts said, "They are our most valuable resource, and we wanted to make them feel safe to go back in that building."
Ritts said that that because the Manson Police Department had assisted other towns with bomb threats, the officers were well-versed with what needed to be done and how to do it.
"Actually," he said, "ever since Columbine, all the police departments in the county along with the Sheriff's Department have worked together to put together plans for responses to many situations that could arise in our schools."
Ritts said the Police Department works with the school as much as possible on anything they request.
In fact, the police car is present every school day morning doing school patrol.
"I'm a great believer in having the squad car out on the street." said Ritts. "When people see it, they think twice about doing something. For instance, some guy might come out of the bar and think, 'Hey, maybe I shouldn't drive, maybe I should get someone to give me a ride home. ... We deal with people in every emotional situation that can happen, all the way from telling them of the death in the family, to arresting someone, to taking a lost puppy home. ... I don't expect to get thanked, but when someone comes up and thanks you - and they are very few and far between - you get a warm glow in your heart. Then you know that this job has been worth 30 years of service."
Contact Jo Vetter at (515) 573-2141 or editor@messengernews.net
