HSB Police Captain Richard Baum, who is retiring after nearly forty years of law enforcement service, was honored at the January 22nd HSB City Council Meeting.

Captain Baum began his law enforcement career in 1973 with the Alamogordo (New Mexico) Police Dept. He joined the Hobbs Police Dept. in 1976, and he and HSB Police Chief Bill Lane worked together in Hobbs for several years.

Baum joined the HSB Police Dept. in 2004 and first worked on night shifts, then was promoted to captain and became responsible for the entire patrol operation.

Chief Lane praised Baum for his ability to interact professionally and maturely with our citizens. Lane continued, “He is the first guy you want beside you when a situation turns really bad. Obviously I am saddened by Richard’s retirement after working together with this outstanding officer and personal friend for 35 years. But, I am excited for him and his family and his opportunity to hang up the badge and gun after a highly successful career and to hopefully have many happy and healthy years ahead of him to ‘smell the roses’. He will be missed by all of us and will not be forgotten.

Richard, may the fish always be biting and the Coors Light always be cold!”