Assistant Police Chief Retires after 35 Years with Redmond Department

The bid farewell last week to retiring Assistant Chief Larry Gainer, the department's longest-serving officer.

Gainer began as a Redmond officer on July 19, 1976—a time when the department consisted of 29 employees and the city's population was approximately 16,000. 

The new officer climbed the ranks rapidly. Over the years, Gainer served as a motor officer, patrol sergeant and traffic enforcement officer. While working in the traffic division, Gainer emphasized DUI enforcement and was struck by drunk drivers several times. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1991, commander in 1996 and assistant chief in 1997.

Since joining the department, RPD has grown to 126 employees and the city now has more than 54,000 residents.

Former RPD Chief Steve Harris supervised Gainer for 25 years and said he was someone he relied on every day.

Current Chief Ron Gibson did not work with Gainer for nearly as long but still called him a "tremendous asset."

"His broad based knowledge of current issues facing the department, his experience, and his willingness to share with me the history of our department has been invaluable," Gibson said in a department news release. "He has helped build our department into one that is envied by others. His 35 years of honorable, dedicated service to the Redmond Police Department and the citizens of Redmond are unmatched.”

—Information from a Redmond Police Department news release