NOPD News

News & Information from the New Orleans Police Department

On the Beat / Videos
Add to Twitter Add to Facebook Add to LinkedIn Add to Reddit

WATCH: NOPD Sergeant Retires from the Military after 31 Years of Serving his Country

by Ambria R. Washington

April 6, 2017

Categories: On the Beat, Videos

Topics: Recruitment, Seventh District

For the last 31 years, NOPD Sgt. Wade Bowser has dedicated his life to serving more than just the citizens of New Orleans.

Sgt. Bowser recently retired from the United States Air Force while assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing, AFSOC in Duke Field, Florida.

Bowser, who grew up in New Orleans East, is currently a sergeant in the Seventh District’s Investigative Unit where he works closely with detectives on major crimes. Since joining the NOPD in 1987, he’s been an active member in Air Force reserve where he has worked various temporary assignments throughout the world. 

scan0004.jpg

 

“On November 5, 1985, I took my oath of enlistment and joined the United States Army,” said Sgt. Wade Bowser as he reflected on his time as a young serviceman.

At the time, Bowser first joined the army but then transferred  and joined the Air Force since many Army units were being closed due to base realignment. In the late 90's, Bowser even worked side by side in the same unit with Deputy Chief John Thomas in Belle Chase, during a temporary assignment.  In 2001, he was promoted and started working as a military training and combat arms instructor in the Lackland Air force base before moving to 919th Special Operations Wing in Duke Field, Florida.

“The thing with our training was it was real world stuff. For the pilots and the sensor operators, it was real,” said Bowser.  “We were literally training them and right when they graduated they were going to Iraq and Afghanistan so we knew how important the mission was.” 

As a former military instructor and officer who has worked in multiple districts, Bowser encourages all military personnel to consider joining the New Orleans Police Department because of the unique set of skills that they bring to the table.

“What’s interesting about the military and civilian law enforcement is that a lot of the procedures and tactics tend to mirror each other,” said Bowser. “I believe that a person who served in the military regardless of what branch of service they served in is a huge asset to the police department.”

Bowser says the military has always been part of his family for generations. During World War II, his father was a submariner and his sister recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. He says the decision to retire has been one of the toughest decisions he’s made but he’s thankful for where it has led him as he continues to serve the New Orleans community.

"You know when the time comes and you know when that moment arrives," said Bowser. "So, it’s a huge achievement but it’s also an emotional one but I feel good about it."

To learn more about joining the NOPD, log on to www.joinnopd.org.