Detective Barclay retires

Monday, October 2, 2017
Detective Jens Barclay speaks at his retirement party at the Nevada City Council Chambers Friday.
Nick Wright

The Nevada City Council Chambers was packed Friday afternoon for a ceremony honoring Detective Jens Barclay who was retiring from the Nevada Police Department after 16 years and six months of service.

“From the time I was very small, I wanted to be a police officer,” Barclay said during his speech at the event. “I’m gonna miss it. Because the Nevada officers are not just friends, they’re family.”

He began his career in law enforcement as a reserve deputy with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office in 1991, becoming a full-time deputy on Jan. 1, 1997.

Several individuals pitched in to commission a painting of a detective’s badge for Barclay and presented the gift at his retirement party Friday.
Nick Wright

In March 2001 he moved to the Nevada Police Department and became a detective in 2005. He also served as the department’s instructor in firearms, taser, baton, pepper spray, tactical weapons and the breath test instrument. He was also a computer voice stress analysis examiner and evidence room technician.

“I want to thank everybody for coming, I hope to see y’all in other endeavors rather than me standing outside your door asking for your driver’s license,” he said.

Detective Josh Westerhold took the podium.

Pat, left, and Frank Arnold, congratulate Barclay and his wife Sheila, on his retirement at the party Friday.
Nick Wright

“We all pitched in and we wanted to give you something,” Westerhold said presenting Barclay with a painting of a detective’s badge by local artist Mike Conway. “We know it means a lot to be a detective … we’re going to take away your detective’s badge and give you a retired badge. But we still wanted you to have a detective’s badge too.”

“I’ve known Jens Barclay for 47 years,” began attorney Lynn Ewing III. “I just want everyone to know and appreciate what they had in Jens.”

“It’s a younger man’s game,” he said. “But it’s tough to lose that experience.”

“He found his way in law enforcement,” Ewing continued. “He went down into the police academy at Missouri Southern and had a 4.0-grade average and graduated first in his class.”

“So I want to thank you,” he said to Barclay, “for what you have done for the city and the county for the last … 20-some years in law enforcement and for being my friend for 47 years.”

Barclay and his wife intend to travel and spend time with family. He will also continue to operate his businesses, Barclay’s Gun Shop and Bushwhacker Training Academy.

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