KPD officer prepares to deploy to Iraq
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Officer Richard Stanley stands in front of the Kilgore High School sign where he has served KHS as the school resource for the last seven years. Richards last day will be Friday.

As a nation we honor our men and women who serve in the military, both active and reserve, especially in the world today as U.S. soldiers are put in harms way each and every day.

On November 11, Veteran's Day, we as a nation say our prayers and give our hopes for a safe return for all the soldiers dedicating their lives on a daily basis to protect the rights we treasure each and every day.

One face known to the Kilgore community in many different ways is Kilgore Police Officer Richard Stanley, who in just a few short days will start his journey to Iraq.

Stanley, a nine year veteran of the KPD is far better known for his service to the Kilgore Independent School District and to the students of that district. Stanley is KISD's Resource Officer and has been so for seven years.

Stanley, a Navy reservist with the Navy Operational Support Center out of Shreveport was notified in September he would be shipping out with 400 to 500 other soldiers to Camp Bucca, Iraq. "Camp Bucca is the largest detainee prison camp in Iraq," said Stanley. "My service there will be assisting Iraqi forces guarding up to 18,000 prisoners on a daily basis."

Stanley said he will start his 420 day tour on Nov. 25 when he ships out for three months training. "This training will be in the states, which includes weapons training, advanced combat skills and culture and language training," said Stanley. "After that I will spend one week in Kuwait before going to Camp Bucca."

Camp Bucca is located in the city of Umm Qasr just inside the port of Iraq said Stanley. "I will miss my family and friends," said Stanley. "But I am concentrating on the positives, it will be a different environment, but I consider this a challenge."

I think the thing I will miss the most is convenience said Stanley. "Being able to go to the store, run to a fast food restaurant whenever you want, things like that we take for granted everyday," said Stanley.

I won't know a lot about my duties until I arrive at Camp Bucca said Stanley.

Stanley will be on a leave of absence from his job at the KPD which is protected by federal law. "When I return I will go back to work as a police officer, it might not be at the school, but I will retain my rank as sergeant," said Stanley. "I will no be paid by the city while in Iraq, nor is my time in Iraq count towards by time as a city employee."

Stanley said during his training he will be allowed to take leave and come home for the holidays this year, but after he is in Iraq, he will probably be spending next Christmas in Iraq. "I have already been asked how people can stay in touch with me in Iraq, family, friends, co-workers and students all want to keep in contact with me," said Stanley. "Once I am at Camp Bucca and establish a contact method, whether it be an e-mail address or just a mailing address, I will get that information back to everyone then."

Stanley said even though his tour is scheduled for 420 days, it would be possible for the military to extend his tour for an additional two years without his consent.

I new when I signed up for the reserves this might happen said Stanley, I have talked about this before with my wife, Farris and my daughter Ashley, 18, who is a Kilgore College student and we were prepared for it.

Stanley will carry the rank of MA2, which is Master at Arms and is assigned to the Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion. "The students at Kilgore High School have been very inquisitive about my departure and I have tried to answer them the best I can," said Stanley.

Stanley will leave his position this Friday at KPD and J.B. Pierce will take over as primary School Resource Officer. Joey Chitwood who now handles the middle school will possibly move to the high school said Stanley. "It is not sure at this time if someone else will move to the vacant position or if the city will hire someone to take the position," said Stanley.

"I look forward to the challenge that lies before me, but will miss everyone I leave behind and look forward to seeing everyone on my return," said Stanley.