FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University Police Department is saying goodbye to one of their most distinguished and longest serving officers at the college.
This week, as Police Chief Richard Austin makes his final rounds at Francis Marion, he jokes that his resume is pretty simple to write.
“1972 to 1993 Air Force, 1993 to 2015 Francis Marion…they shouldn’t have a hard time with that,” said Austin.
That’s because he’s spent the last twenty-two years serving the college, first, as a Public Safety Officer and later as the Chief.
“It’s been neat watching the campus grow. The stuff that Dr. Carter’s put together and managed to get in here, that’s been some neat stuff,” said Austin.
Chief Austin says in his time at Francis Marion, he’s seen the campus grow a great deal, and now it’s time to watch it grow from home, in retirement.
His deputies say he’ll be missed because he’s helped to make the campus one of the safest in South Carolina.
“Definitely very big shoes to fill, he’s left a legacy for the last twenty years of being the chief of police that I think it’s going to be very hard for whoever comes in to replace him,” said Deputy Chief Donald Tarbell.
Tarbell says he’s worked alongside Austin for several years, and in that time, the two have created a bond.
Tarbell says he’ll miss the chief but knows he won’t be far.
“Luckily, you know, he’s only a couple of miles down the road. So, you know, he’s only a phone call away, and he could really be here in about five minutes if I really needed him,” said Tarbell.
Chief Austin says that’s true but he is excited to retire the early morning phone calls that come with the job.
“I’ve already told my folks, they can call me up until 11:59 on June 30th but at 12:01, I’m shutting off all the phones in the house, “said Austin.
Campus President Dr. Fred Carter says he agrees with the deputies that Austin’s energetic leadership has been a key factor in keeping the campus safe and secure for over two decades.