by Clint Boehler
HUERFANO- When most people retire, they expect relaxation, no worries and the quiet life. Not the case with retiring Huerfano County Deputy Sergeant Harold “Hank” Martin. Sgt. Martin is not headed to an easy chair; rather he is going for a new adventure. The new adventure will begin May 1, 2010 with his last working day on April 14.
Sgt. Martin is no stranger to foreign lands. Both he and his wife of 26 years, Susan Martin, retired with honors from the United States Army in 1996 after several overseas tours. He was known then as Army Major Hank Martin and she was Army Lt. Colonel Susan Martin. He was a commander of armored operations with a secondary role in military intelligence while she held a command in medical operations. Martin is always kidded about whether he has to address his ranking wife as ‘Sir’ or ‘Maam.’ Both served extensive tours in the middle east, where Sgt. Martin became fluent in Arabic, thus making him more valuable in intelligence duties.
Martin graduated from Pike’s Peak Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice and a law enforcement certification. Following a short stint as a Deputy Marshal for Calhan, Colorado, he joined the Walsenburg City Police and served in several positions until being called back to military service in the middle east in 2002. Upon returning from that fracas, he joined the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office.
During his tenure with the sheriff’s office he quickly rose to the position of Patrol Sergeant and was issued many hats to wear. Some of his current duties include but are not limited to School Resource Officer, Hostage Negotiator, Intoxylizer Instructor and Field Training Officer (FTO) for new recruits. Whenever a new duty arose, the first person to be assigned that new job would be good old Hank. Martin has distinguished himself in the community as a firm but fair deputy, always friendly with a ready handshake, but always ready for business. While this chapter is closing, the new one is just opening up.
Col. Susan Martin has received an assignment back in the middle east, and Hank will be accompanying her with new duties he cannot disclose. Hank laughs when he uses the term military intelligence, perhaps a reference to the possibility that the term may be an oxymoron. In any case, whatever the assignment, Sgt. Hank Martin will be on the front line, taking on a new career assignment. Martin has mixed emotions about leaving the street beat but says everything happens in its time. Not many people can boast of a life of such adventure. In any case, this time you can be sure he will not be wearing many hats. This time the action will have him wearing many turbans in the land of sand and camels.
