Captain Debbie Pyles will be retiring from ABAC’s police department after dedicating 21 years of service to the school. A retirement party was held for her on June 25. Pyles also served seven years with the state, which brings her total service to around 29 years.
Pyles explained that in 2004, she was going through the criminal justice program here at ABAC and met a first lieutenant through campus interactions, who then explained to her how policing at ABAC seemed like something that would be right up her alley. After speaking with the director of the police academy, one thing led to another, and soon Pyles was hired at ABAC.
When Pyles first started at ABAC, she was a patrol officer. Then, the former chief at that time asked Pyles if she would be willing to become the day shift sergeant and then the secretary. From there, Pyles continued to climb up the ranks until she became captain.
Angela Ritchey, a member of the ABAC police department, said, “I’m happy for her but also sad because we have always been each other’s backbone.”
“Captain Pyles is very reliable and she is a true friend and a co-worker who will be here and will not let you down, and that she has your back no matter what,” Ritchey continued.
Pyles talked about a favorite moment of hers while she was a patrol officer, where she built bonds with students whose names she still remembers.
She said, “Being a patrol officer allowed me to make friends with students, but I also learned that you can have compassion and be a police officer at the same time.”
For her retirement, Pyles plans to go fishing since she has a pond at home. She also likes to go camping, and one of her wishes is to hook up her camper with her husband and just go. One place that she would love to go is the Grand Canyon because it’s a place that neither she nor her husband has been. Pyles is not a sit-around type of person, saying that she’s going to find something to do because she likes to give back to her community.
Pyles also wants to return the dedication and devotion her church has shown her and become more involved with her church. She also likes to garden and plans on spending more time in the yard as well.
Captain Pyles says she wants everyone to know that ABAC is a great school, a great family, and a friendly place, and that you can’t go wrong with choosing ABAC. She says you get great instructions and build everlasting friendships, and that students coming back is proof of that.