Columbus Division of Police recently honored Sergeant Richard Ketcham, Jr., upon his retirement from more than thirty years of service to the community. Sergeant Ketcham's career began in December 1994, and after serving in various capacities, he retired to a life of leisure alongside his wife, Carolyn.
Ketcham's tenure includes notable leadership positions. With a promotion to Sergeant in 2003, he spearheaded the Domestic Violence Unit for a significant stretch, introducing the Lethality Assessment Program, a tool that, according to the Columbus Division of Police's Facebook post, "has undoubtedly saved many lives." In 2010, he was among the first to oversee the CRT-1 assignment. In 2022, Ketcham managed the Advanced Training Unit and simultaneously served as acting lieutenant of the Advanced Training Section from July 2023 to early this year, where his dedication to officer safety stood out. However, it's particularly impressive that Ketcham could juggle the roles of Advanced Training Unit Sergeant, the Domestic Violence Unit Sergeant, and the acting Advanced Training Lieutenant.
Sergeant Ketcham's contributions extended beyond managing teams; he brought substantial change and innovation to tackling domestic violence, including a decisive leadership role in the Domestic Violence Unit since 2012. "Sergeant Ketcham was the driving force behind the implementation of the Lethality Assessment Program," highlighted the Columbus Division of Police when reflecting on his impactful service.
Sergeant Ketcham's retirement life will consist of golfing, cherishing moments with his grandkids, and trekking across the country in a fifth-wheel motor home—a serene shift from the intensity of his former police work. Now, Ketcham and his wife look forward to this new chapter in life, which was enthusiastically shared in the social media announcement from the Columbus Division of Police, which read, "Congratulations, Sergeant Ketchum! We wish you all the best in your much-deserved retirement!"
