U.S. Park Police Officer Kenneth Donovan retired on Dec. 6 after 40 years of federal service; he served 37 of those years with the USPP. Donovan began his career with the USPP in May 1970.  Prior to that, he worked for the U.S. Post Office from April 1967 until May 1970.  He started his federal law-enforcement career with an annual salary of $6,500 and attended basic police school at USPP headquarters. (At the time, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center did not exist.) After completing USPP training, he accepted an assignment to the downtown Washington, D.C., patrol area. In October 1974, the USPP selected Donovan for training with its horse-mounted unit; and in February 1975, it assigned him to that unit.

Throughout his career, Donovan participated in many significant events with the National Park Service.  He witnessed historical events and experienced the changes of culture, attitude, political influences, and operational improvements of the city and the Service. The USPP assigned him five horses during his career, and he trained each one of them. Donovan was the most senior member of the force.  He recognized that due to current law changes, it is possible that no one in the future may have the same opportunity to accumulate this level of seniority.

Donovan participated in nine presidential inaugurals for seven presidents. He worked countless demonstrations of various sizes and for many causes.  He worked numerous anti-Vietnam war demonstrations during the 1970’s, which were violent and dangerous.  In 1976, Donovan participated in the Service’s festivities to celebrate the country’s Bicentennial anniversary. During that summer, festivities included nightly firework launches from the Washington Monument area.  The size and scope of the Bicentennial event made it necessary for the Service to construct a USPP office and stable on the National Mall.  This facility, now the H-1 stables, is where the USPP assigned Donovan to work in May 1976 — and where he worked until his retirement. He used the same lockers and parked in the same lot for nearly 33 years.  In 1990, Donovan was injured in a horse-riding incident and was on sick leave for almost a year.  His leadership and peer members did not expect him to return to duty.  True to his nature, Donovan knew that what he enjoyed most was his career and, therefore, he returned to full duty.

In 1996, Donovan joined a large contingent of mounted officers the USPP was sending to Atlanta, Ga., to provide security for the summer Olympic Games. The USPP had deployed the mounted unit to provide crowd-control service during the games and to protect Olympic Park.  For nearly two months, the mounted unit worked to maintain ground security. The unit was instrumental in safely evacuating thousands of visitors after the detonation of an explosive device during the event.

Donovan saw many changes in his operational work requirements. He entered his career during the era when officers had no portable radios and instead checked in with dispatch through call boxes on specific street sites.  In addition, officers worked without ballistic vests.  They also patrolled in pea-green colored cruisers, many with manual transmissions. These vehicles also sported mechanical sirens and a single red light on the roof.  The age of computers, Special Forces Branch, cellphones, arrest wagons, bicycles, scooters, and all of the substations, except for District 4, did not exist in Donovan’s early career days.

Donovan worked many years assisting and providing significant support, training, mentoring, and guidance to his leaders, peers, and rookies.  For every new police-rookie class since 1976, Donovan was the force bus driver; and many current officers, as well as retired officers, remember his support and guidance. He has escorted nearly every police officer on today’s force to Brentwood for equipment and ensured they became familiar with their new patrol areas and substations. Donovan’s greatest honor was in May 2008, when FLETC invited him as the keynote speaker for its graduating class.  The organization based its invitation on Donovan’s years of professional service, experience and expertise. He is the first of officer rank to ever speak at a formal graduation. Donovan expressed the importance of values, integrity, and professional excellence to the class.  He effectively passed the torch to the young officers and made positive impacts with his senior leaders and the class members.

Donovan’s exemplary professional career of service and support will leave lasting impressions on many officers.  His approach to problem solving, willingness to do what is necessary and his attention to details are only a few of his many attributes.  Donovan extended his appreciation and acknowledged all those who helped him through his career, from his initial entry to this final retirement moment. He said his career experience will remain as one of his fondest lifetime memories.