'Working the Streets is Definitely a Young Man’s Job'

Rich Kirkeby, 55, can retire from a job he loves with the Johnston Police Department -- leading the Code 411 program and its predecssor, D.A.R.E. -- knowing he has made a difference in the lives of youths he taught.

Elementary and middle school students in the Johnston school district for 18 years have gone through Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) or Code 411, the current program aimed at educating students about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. 

Shannon Huffman, who graduated from Johnston High School in 2004, remembers going through the D.A.R.E. program led by Kirkeby.

“I thought Officer Kirkeby was so cool,” Huffman said. “We all wanted to be like him. We got a T-shirt that said D.A.R.E. on it. He knows how to make an impact because I still remember him and I'm 26.”

Kirkeby, a community resource and police officer, has taught these courses for nearly two decades. But that ends when he retires from the police force on June 28.

“I enjoyed teaching D.A.R.E., I enjoyed teaching the 411 program,” Kirkeby said.

Kirkeby said his fondest memory was when the Code 411 program expanded.

“We expanded the program to the seventh and ninth grade,” Kirkeby said. “So I like just being able to see that program being expanded, so instead of just fifth grade it is now at Summit and at the middle school.”

Johnston alumni who took D.A.R.E have good memories of Kirkeby in the classroom.

Heidi Bibler, who graduated from Johnston High School in 2009, remembers winning a prize for writing an essay in D.A.R.E.

“There was never any doubt in my mind that drug-free was the way to go,” Bibler said. “I continue to believe in a drug-free life today, and I don't think I would have such a strong opinion and decision about it if it wasn’t for the D.A.R.E. program that we Johnston kids had those years ago.”

Kirkeby also had an affect on the Johnston Police Department. He has been an officer there since 1995. Bill Vaughn, Johnston police chief, said Kirkeby is a very humble guy.

“Rich, I always get to see him labor over putting the classes together, the curriculum, the curriculum books, T-shirt selections, going through the essay selections,” Vaughn said. “He has done it from the heart, he has a passion for the kids and a passion to make a difference and that is what I admire most about him.”

Vaughn said Kirkeby has always been enthusiastic about his job.

“Rich comes in with a smile on his face and really ready, set and eager to do the job,” Vaughn said. “He does it and he has fun and he makes it fun for the kids.”

Vaughn said Kirkeby has been the architect of the anti-drug and alcohol program.

“He has been the proud parent of the program,” Vaughn said. “He delivered the baby and raised it, we are going to lose that experience. Whoever steps into this has some very large shoes to fill.”

After retiring, Kirkeby plans on working at Pro Diesel, a truck repair shop. 

“It was a tough decision, I just thought it was time,” Kirkeby said. “It’s a good opportunity for me because I’ll have health insurance and it’s a job I can see myself doing for the next ten years, if I chose to do so. Where law enforcement, you get about 57 or 58 and if you're not in a command position it’s a tough job. Working the streets is definitely a young man’s job.”

The police department will go through a selection process to find Kirkeby’s replacement to continue the Code 411 program. 

A retirement reception for Kirkeby will be held at 2:00 p.m., June 28 at City Hall.