Photo by Jon Mayhew
Sara Stamey (right) consults with Cindy Sain about a matter in Records.



STAMEY TO RETIRE FROM LINCOLNTON POLICE
Officer: "She Can't Go."

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A nearly ten year veteran of the Lincolnton Police is calling it quits at the end of the month. And while she's not a patrol officer, Sara Stamey has played a vital role in the organization charged with protecting the citizens and property within the City of Lincolnton.

She has served in the records department of Lincolnton Police, keeping an ever-growing number of reports organized and being a friend -- and more -- to the members of the department, from the chief all the way down.

In fact, when Stamey was promoted to records supervisor in Spring 2003, Kent Lukach became lieutenant and took over the position of crime prevention and training officer; Dean Abernathy, meantime, went from being interim chief to chief.

"I feel like their mother hen," said Stamey. "We all moved up together."

Stamey said as the time gets closer for her to retire -- she's got about seven days and a wake-up call to go -- she's becoming more and more melancholy. She said she has mixed feelings about retiring from a department that's more than officers and colleagues; it's family.

"I've reached that special birthday," said Stamey. "I'll miss everyone here at the city and especially the public."

Stamey's previous law enforcement experience involved working as a dispatcher in Burke County. After a new sheriff took over, she and many others were left to find another job. She heard of an open position at Lincolnton Police from her brother, who is now a retired lieutenant.

"I came here and ran him off," laughed Stamey.

Working in the records department was easy for Stamey; it was difficult, however, for her to learn a new town. Stamey said when she came to Lincolnton, she found the technology easy to use.

"We didn't have computer assisted dispatch in Burke," said Stamey. "Everything was done the old fashioned way."

There was also a different responsibility than being a dispatcher.

"You weren't responsible for the safety of a road officer, so that made records so much easier," said Stamey.

Besides working with her colleagues and officers -- Stamey said she feels like the officer's mother -- she'll also miss contacting seniors through the department's "R-U OK" program.

"We call those seniors that live in the city," said Stamey. "I'll miss calling them and that little bit of human contact means a lot to the elderly."

Officers throughout the department shake their heads when they think of Stamey retiring. Sgt. Willie Vaughn told Stamey one day she wasn't leaving.

"You can't go," said Vaughn.

Chief Dean Abernathy was a lieutenant in the department when Stamey first came to work.

"She's the most kind-hearted person I've seen," said Abernathy, adding a reception for Stamey will be held June 25 from 4 - 6 p.m. "I've seen her give these kids in here food and money. She's a really tender-hearted person and I really appreciate that. She'll be missed."

Retired officer Bobby Poteat said he didn't have any stories to tell on Stamey but said he thought she was going to work a little longer.

"She's been too good to me," said Poteat. "I'm happy for her and I think she's going to enjoy retirement."

Abernathy added he's going to hate to see Stamey go at the end of the month.

"This is something we work for, retirement," said Abernathy. "We get to take it easy for awhile."

Cindy Sain will take over as records supervisor on July 8, according to Chief Abernathy.

Stamey said she's got definite plans for retirement, specifically for her husband, Bob.

"I've got a honey-do list about ten miles long," laughed Stamey.

For now, Stamey is busy working with records, cleaning out her office and remembering a recent department first she was a part of; Lincolnton Police Department's first female Captain, Cindy Monday.

"I'm glad to have seen that," said Stamey. "She was the first in the department's history."


Photo by Jon Mayhew
The countdown is on for Sara Stamey,
set to retire from a nearly 10-year career with the Lincolnton Police Department.