After 43 years ‘and a bit’, Sergeant Steve Ryan hangs up his badge

Sgt Ryan has been stationed in a lot of Queensland regions during his 43 years but for the past 18 years Millmerran has been home.

AFTER “43 years and a bit” with the Queensland Police Service, Sergeant Steve Ryan has hung up his badge.

The QPS had given Sgt Ryan and wife Margaret the opportunity to see much of Queensland but for the last 18 years of his service, Millmerran has been home.

“I like living in small towns,” Sgt Ryan said.

“You make a lot of mates and it’s a bit like (television program) Cheers, everyone knows your name.”

Sergeant Steve Ryan with his wife Margaret (right) and mother Desley on Sgt Ryan's victory march down Walpole St, Millmerran, marking his retirement from the Queensland Police Service.

Sgt Ryan said he hadn’t been stationed in a town with traffic lights since 1985.

However, for a police officer often working alone, small towns also called for a unique form of policing.

“We deal with a lot of tragedy, a lot of death and serious injury,” he said.

“But you’ve just got to think on your feet.

Sergeant Steve Ryan takes the salute from District Officer Superintendent Gareth Channels outside the Millmerran Police Station.

“In Brisbane, there are crews after crews attending scenes but often I’m here by myself.

“You deal with things differently but you still get the same result.”

Sgt Ryan said he had seen a lot of funny things during his time as a police officer but also dealt with a lot of tragic circumstances.

“I’ll remember the good bits and the good people, not the bad bits and the bad people,” he said.

“We’ve had two murders here in Millmerran (since being stationed there) and both were successfully prosecuted.”

Final day: Sergeant Steve Ryan is farewelled by colleagues and members of the Millmerran community upon his retirement.

After being piped out of the Millmerran Police Station by QPS bagpipe player Ian Strudwick and taking a final salute from District Officer Superintendent Gareth Channels, Sgt Ryan was joined by wife Margaret and mother Desley Ryan for a march on Walpole St.

“I handed him to the Queensland Police Service when he was 16,” his mother Desley said.

“He finished Grade 12 and went into the Academy.

“I’m very proud of him.”

Sergeant Steve Ryan leaving the Millmerran Police Station upon his retirement from the Queensland Police Service.