One of Norman's finest -- in the most legitimate sense of the word -- has retired from the police department after a 35-year career.
A retirement reception to honor Master Police Officer Robert Post was attended Friday by several hundred police officers, city officials and area residents.
"Bob has been an asset to this city in many ways, but particularly by his passion for traffic safety to save lives," said Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten. "He has worked well with other city departments and officials, the media, schools, businesses, churches and any citizens who needed his advice or expertise."
Cotten said Post became interested in traffic safety and accident reconstruction early in his career, which led to the training and experience necessary to become an expert in the field of traffic accident reconstruction.
"He is meticulous in his work and his reputation is such that he is seldom challenged in court. He is nationally certified and a true expert in the field of accident investigations," Cotton said.
Traffic Engineer Angelo Lombardo said Post, with his experience and expertise, will be irreplaceable.
"You don't replace a person like Bob," Lombardo said. "With the experience he has, I'd venture to say he's the best in the state."
Post is a perfectionist, Lombardo said. "You have to be for the information to mean anything later."
Lombardo said accident reconstruction work doesn't end at the site of the accident. The information Post gathers, analyzes and disseminates helps traffic engineers to "make decisions on safety and the projects we fund."
Post has taught Law Enforcement Driver Training -- one of the first in the state to teach in municipalities. He has served in the patrol division, traffic unit, and as a traffic accident specialist. He has supervised the department's parking service officers.
Post also has been actively involved with Safety Town, a program which began in 1971 at Sooner Mall and teaches kids about bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Lombardo said Post has been a major resource of information for traffic safety, public works projects, engineering and many other city concerns.
"He audits reports for accuracy, keeps statistical information, prepares numerous reports and provides significant advice," he said.
Lt. Jim Keesee called Post a "close friend" who will be missed by people in "all the city departments."
"I don't think people are going to realize how much he does until after he's gone," Keesee said.
Post said he'll "miss the people I've been working with for 35 years" -- people in city departments and residents of the city.
"I have enjoyed helping families throughout the years who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents," he said.
In those situations, Post said being able to provide family members with information concerning "why and how the collision occurred hopefully gives them some way of helping to deal with their grief."
One of the retirement gifts presented to Post at the reception was a directional sign with arrows detailing the distances from Norman to Seattle, New York and France.
Post plans to take some time off before traveling to those places. Post was born in New York, and said he wants to return to Whidbey Island to visit old friends.
He's twice been to France, and is excited about going back, he said.
And Post said he looks forward to visiting his mother and sister and brother-in-law, all who live in Seattle.
Post met his wife Pam when she began working as a records clerk for the department, and the two married in 1981. They have two daughters, Myla, a senior at Oklahoma State University and Mara, a freshman at the University of Texas.
Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com
Local news
Honoring a career of public service
Post retires after 35 years with police department
- Local news
-
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
Nancy Coggins landed a job with a prestigious Oklahoma City advertising agency before the ink dried on her OU journalism diploma. The job was a first rung on her career ladder and she admits that it didn’t call for her creative talents. ...
-
New jail to install curtains
The F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, though still in its infancy, is getting a facelift: new curtains....
-
Businesses go the extra mile for Valentine’s Day
Among the various images the phrase “Valentine’s Day” might conjure in one’s mind, probably the most immediate is the iconic dozen roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates....
-
New rehabilitation, skilled care center will be next to HealthPlex
StoneGate Senior Living President and CEO John F. Taylor announced Friday that his company has completed the purchase of approximately 6.7 acres of land in the Norman Regional Health System’s Medical Park West project at NW 36th Avenueand ...
-
Mystery performance provides theatrical fatal attraction
James Briggs has a pretty steady day job with the city parks department, doesn’t live anywhere near Little River and probably never owned or slept in a hatchback. He doesn’t usually wear sport coats that are two sizes too small, either ...
-
'Get the Lead Out' annual children's art festival enters 10th year
Longfellow Middle School had a special “GLO” about it Saturday morning....
-
County prisoners moved to new jail
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies began moving prisoners from the detention center adjacent to the courthouse to the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center at Franklin Road and U.S. 77 early Saturday morning....
-
School board elections Tuesday
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in four Cleveland County school districts. Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Jim Williams said this will be the first election using the new voting system. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on ...
-
Identity theft crackdown sweeps nation
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department recently announced a national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft....
-
Darry Stacy seeking county commission seat
Darry Stacy, a fifth generation Oklahoman and lifelong resident of Cleveland County, announced Friday that he will be a Republican candidate for the District 2 Cleveland County commissioner seat....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
