Southeast Messenger - June 2nd, 2019

PAGE 4 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - June 2, 2019
www.columbusmessenger.com
Groveport’s longest serving policewoman retires
By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Groveport Police Officer Carrie Clites-
Meader is a familiar face to residents as
she patrols the city’s neighborhoods, but
now she has retired after 21 years of duty.
She is the longest serving full time
policewoman in the Groveport Police
Department’s history. She began as a
reserve officer in September 1997 and was
hired as a full time officer by former Police
Chief Roger Adams in March 1998. She
retired on May 15.
“Chief Adams hired me and without his
trust in me and giving me this opportunity
for this honorable career I don’t know what
I would have done,” said Clites-Meader. “I
had no second career choice.”
She became a police officer to carry on
the legacy of her brother, Columbus Police
Officer Chris Clites, who was killed in the
line of duty at age 26 in December 1993.
“That’s why I chose to retire on May 15
because it is National Peace Officer
Memorial Day,” said Clites-Meader. “It has
true meaning for me and my family.”
She chose to retire now so she can spend
more time with her six-year-old son.
“I don’t want to miss these precious
years with him because you never get them
back,” she said. “We’ll go swimming, go to
parks, and do other fun stuff now that I
have more time. I also want to volunteer
more at church and at his school. Retiring
was not an easy decision. I prayed about
because I wanted to get it right.”
She said a memorable aspect of her
police work was interacting with kids and
their families while stopping traffic and
helping at the crosswalks in the school zone
on Main Street by Groveport Elementary
in the mornings.
“We had some close calls, especially with
distracted drivers on their cell phones,” she
said. “The kids and parents always said
‘thank you.’ When I retired the kids sent
me letters and cards showing their appreciation.
That meant a lot to me.”
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Photo courtesy of the city of Groveport
Groveport Police Officer Carrie Clites-Meader has retired after 21 years on the force.
She is the longest serving full time policewoman in the history of the Groveport Police
Department.
She said a tough part of the job was
dealing with overdose, suicide, and natural
deaths.
“Life is hard,” she said. “I’m glad I could
be there to comfort people who experienced
the loss of a loved one through an unexpected
tragedy. I’d pray with the families and
just be there to do what I could for them.”
She said policing and the equipment
officers use have changed dramatically
over the past 21 years.
“We used to hand write our police
reports,” she said. “Now it’s all done on
computers and is more complex and time
consuming.”
Criminals also changed how they operate.
“These days suspects will hide drugs
and weapons different places on their bodies
and at traffic stops suspects could have
weapons in hidden compartments in their
vehicles. In the old days they just hid stuff
in their pants or under the car seat.
Criminals have gotten more sophisticated
and therefore more dangerous. That’s why
our training is important because it can
keep officers from getting injured or killed.”
As far as equipment changes, Clites-
Meader notes the addition of body cameras,
tasser, and in-cruiser computers as significant
advances for police work.
“Our cruisers also used to be sedans but
now we drive SUVs,” she said.
Also, police weapons have advanced in
response to increased violence by felons.
She said some officers carry assault rifles
to combat potential mass shootings.
“In the past we just had shotguns and
our primary duty firearm on our belt,” she
said.
She noted Groveport has also changed
during her time on duty.
“I can’t say enough good things
about the city of Groveport, its officials,
its residents, and the outstanding
men and women of the Groveport
Police Department. We’re like a family
and I’ll always cherish the memories.”
- Carrie Clites-Meader
“Well, it grew from a village to a city,
which means more people and the potential
for more crime,” she said. “Traffic has
increased which means more accidents.
There’s more semi-trucks, too.”
Though the town has grown, she said
some aspects remain the same.
“When I’m on patrol, I like driving
around and seeing the wonderful homes
and beautiful flowers in the yards,” she
said.
She said police work is rewarding
because one can provide encouragement
and positive direction for people.
“Kind words, patience, and a smile goes
a long way,” she said. “You have to remember
that while something in life seems easy
to you, it may be hard for someone else.”
She said the 21 years went by in a
“blink!”
“I can’t say enough good things about
the city of Groveport, its officials, and its
residents. We’re like a family and I’ll
always cherish the memories. I also
couldn’t have done this job without the
Lord’s help, the outstanding men and
women of the Groveport Police
Department, and Police Chief Ralph
Portier,” she said. “They are a fantastic
bunch. It has been an honor to serve with
my family in blue.”