Cape Girardeau Assistant Police Chief retires after 38 years of service

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Cape Girardeau Assistant Police Chief has retired.

According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department Assistant Chief Rodney Barker has filled this role with the department since February 2019.

Assistant Chief Barker has 38‐years of background in law enforcement.

Assistant Chief Barker was hired as a Patrol officer with the Cape Girardeau Police Department in July 1986, promoted to Corporal in January 1996, promoted to Sergeant in October 1999, and in June 2014 promoted to Lieutenant before being promoted to Assistant Chief in February 2019.

The Cape Girardeau police department says Barker as had a huge impact on the department.

Over the years Barker was nominated for both Cape Girardeau Police Department Employee of the Year, and in 2023 Law Enforcement of the Year from the Missouri Crisis Intervention Team.

Barker also played a big part in the Co-Responder Unit going for the Police Department in 2023.

Assistant Chief Barker has also played a big part in starting and coordinating the Cape Girardeau Police Department Peer-Peer Team.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department states in a Facebook post

“We extend our deepest gratitude for his dedication and 38 years of service to his fellow officers and the city as a whole. Assistant Chief Barker has dedicated much of his life to public service and has served with integrity and honor. We wish him the best in retirement and hope he gets the opportunity to spend more time with his family and find the best fishing holes.”