He completed three years of college before joining the Air Force and started with the HPD in 2015. He has been a part of the K9 unit for three years.
Ryan has always loved working with dogs and has two German Shepherds at home. His K9 dog, Bady, is a Belgian Malinois. It has always been his dream to move up the ranks, but the past policy did not allow an officer to work a dog and be promoted. So, he had to remain a patrolman. When that changed, he tested and was promoted to corporal. After the first of the year, he will be promoted to sergeant and continue to work with Bady.
“I’ve always loved law enforcement. I did that in the Air Force, which was called security forces. I guarded Titan III Minuteman missiles and our complex. I did actual law enforcement for two years while stationed in Germany,” he said.
“After the Air Force, I wanted to stay in law enforcement. There were a couple of agencies I was looking at. I’m actually from a small town south of Little Rock. Even though the extended family is three hours away, we wanted to be in Harrison, so I accepted a job with the Harrison Police Department.”
His current position as corporal allows him to assist the sergeant in daily operations.
“But after Jan. 1, everyone else on the shift will be a reflection of me.” The sergeant has direct communication with the administration and subordinates. He will also do schedules, monthly video reviews, and vehicle inspections.
“I don't plan on sitting behind my desk in front of a computer, but be out in my car still making stops and taking calls for service. Part of my job is motivating my guys to be their best – be leaders and positive role models. I look forward to this challenge,” he said.
Seven individuals applied for the position of sergeant. They were each given oral interviews of a team of three command shift officers, another department head, and a civilian. Each interview team member comes up with questions, and Assistant Chief Cagle ensures no duplicates.
Cagle said, “Ryan will take control of his shift on Jan. 1. When Guffey first started here, I was actually his field training officer. So this is one of my boys I brought from the beginning, climbing through the ranks. That’s what I like to see. I have no doubts that Guffey will be an excellent sergeant. He looks after his men, and he does well with them. I look forward to seeing what he does with his shift.”
He and his wife have been together for 11 years and married for four years. They have a daughter, who is almost four, and a boy under two years old.
“We’ve made Harrison our community,” he said. “We love it.”
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