Having served almost three decades, Madera County Sheriff's Detective Sergeant Dirk Kinkel retired from public service Friday, Sept. 28.

Kinkel was sworn in as deputy sheriff Oct. 1, 1985. In his 27 years with the sheriff's office, Kinkel worked more than 1,000 cases of which nearly 200 were closed by arrest.

During his career, Kinkel worked narcotics, fraud, theft and burglary, and homicides.

In January 1999, he was promoted to sergeant and then detective sergeant in November of 2000. In his supervisorial role he was often described as dedicated and thorough, energetic, and enthusiastic.

Despite his role as detective sergeant, supervising a number of criminal investigations, he was always available to assist whenever and wherever needed. Just this summer, Kinkel could be counted among an elite eradication team assigned to hiking in and out of remote regions of Madera County when aerial support wasn't available during "Operation Mercury."

Kinkel was a quiet man who many regarded as a mentor and friend. Because of that strong bond he established in the Mountain Area, an intimate gathering was hosted in his honor last month in Oakhurst.