Deputy Chief David Stover retired from the U.S. Park Police on Sept. 27 after more than 35 years of distinguished service. He began his career on April 15, 1973.

After completing his basic training in Washington, D.C., Stover served as a patrol officer in the Central District, patrolling the National Mall and surrounding parks. He also served in the Anacostia Station, patrolling National Capital Parks-East, and in the New York Field Office. In addition, he involved himself in collateral duties as an emergency-medical technician for the Aviation Unit, as the Maryland Court Liaison. He also served as a field-training officer to new recruits. Some of his assignments during his patrol-officer days included undercover drug operations and an assignment at Mount Rushmore.

Stover received four Outstanding Police Service Awards from the U.S. Park Police during this time. One of the incidents for which he received recognition occurred during a traffic stop on the Suitland Parkway in June 1977. When he approached the vehicle, which was occupied with five men, one of them in the back seat screamed for the officer’s help. Stover kept his cool and waited for backup to arrive; officers then safely detained the five. Facts later revealed the screaming man was a kidnap victim of the other men in the car, who were armed with a sawed-off shotgun and a pistol.

In 1979, after attaining the rank of sergeant, Stover continued his patrol work in the Central District, as well as in the Rock Creek District. The U.S. Park Police later assigned him to Criminal Investigations, where it selected him to create a Narcotics Task Force, a congressionally mandated program.

In 1985 the U.S. Park Police promoted Stover to lieutenant. As such, he held an assignment to the Shift Commander's Office and served as the commander of District Two, which patrols the George Washington Memorial Parkway. While at this rank he also commanded the Traffic Safety Unit and was an EEO Investigator for the National Park Service. He also attended the FBI National Academy during this time. His awards at this rank included the Bar Association Award, an award from the National Transportation Safety Board and two Outstanding Police Service Awards.

In 1996 after receiving a promotion to captain, Stover held assignments to the New York Field Office as the West District commander and as the commander of the Office of Professional Responsibility. During this time he attended the New York Police Department’s Internal Affairs School. He also received an award from the superintendent of the Gateway National Recreation Area. In 2004 he attained the rank of major, commanding the New York Field Office. Of all his assignments, Stover said he enjoyed his job the most during his times in the New York Field Office.

Finally, in 2005, Stover reached the rank of deputy chief in charge of the Operations Division. During this time he accepted an invitation to visit the American Embassy in the Republic of Georgia. The embassy wished to thank him for assisting the Georgian police in coordinating and establishing training for a horse-mounted unit.

“David is an enduring figure of the United States Park Police having been involved in over three decades of Force history,” Acting Assistant Chief Sal Lauro said. “We wish him well in his new endeavors.”