So in 1987, he pinned on a Fort Dodge Police Department badge for the first time.

On Thursday, after 36 years of protecting and serving the community, Mernka will retire with the rank of lieutenant.

“I fulfilled my dream,” Mernka said Monday evening during the Fort Dodge City Council meeting.

Police Chief Dennis Quinn said 36 years is a long time for a person to be in any job.

During his long tenure, Mernka arrested a lot of criminals, Quinn said. But more importantly, he helped a lot of people, the chief added.

For perhaps his most dramatic move to help someone, Mernka received the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor along with two other local officers, for grabbing a man as he jumped off the Union Pacific Railroad High Bridge in an attempt to end his life. The officers were unable to hold onto the man, but because of their efforts he fell only 40 feet and survived his injuries.

Former Fort Dodge Patrol Officer Nathan Eldredge and Iowa State Patrol Trooper Matt Eimers also received the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor for that Dec. 12, 2015, incident.

That award is the highest honor presented in Iowa for saving a life.

To replace Mernka, Caitlyn Carlisle was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. She has been a city police officer since 2015. She has served in both patrol and investigations. She is a member of the Special Emergency Response Team and has served as a field training officer. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Leighton Walker was promoted from patrol officer to sergeant. He has been a city police officer since 2009. In that time he has served as a field training officer for many new members of the force. Walker is an Army veteran who served two combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Two new officers were also added to the force to fill vacancies.

Jennifer Smith is a graduate of Fort Dodge Senior High School and Iowa Central Community College. Anthony Luft is a graduate of Humboldt High School and is a former Webster City police officer.