Great Bend Post
Larned Police Department Sergeant Anthony "Tony" Boor recently announced his retirement after serving the area for the last 26 years. Boor recently sat down with Cayte Armstrong, emergency communications officer in Pawnee County, to discuss a life in law enforcement. It all began in 1999, when Boor took a position at the Barton County Sheriff's Office - a job he would hold for three years.
"I took a position with Kansas Department of Corrections for four years," Boor said. "Then I came to Larned Police Department in July of 2006, serving part-time while working at KDOC before taking a full-time position in January 2007.”
Boor has spent 19 years with the Larned Police Department. In that time, he has served under retired Chiefs Charles Orth and Lance Duft, and current Interim Chief Antonio TJ Hearn. In May 2007, Boor became a Taser instructor. In 2008, he began the training for firearms instructor under several certifications.
Boor first attended a three-day training in Minnesota for defensive patrol handgun and rifle arms instructor. Later, he was certified instructor for Precision, then Tactical. He was certified armorer for M16, AR-15, and Glock. In 2021, he was certified as an FTO, (Field Training Officer). On Aug. 26, 2011, he was promoted to sergeant under now-retired Chief Orth. Boor has maintained the rank of sergeant since.
Boor always wanted to work in law enforcement, and everything lined up for a switch to that career in 1999. He was classmates with Brad Patzner and the late Dave Smith, both of whom were sergeants at the Barton County Sheriff's Office that year. Robert Armstrong was also returning to the sheriff's office. Jim Daily, sheriff at the time, had a decision to make with only one patrol spot open.
Daily pulled both men aside and said, “Let’s do a coin toss. Who ever calls it gets the road patrol position and the one who loses would go to the jail.”
Boor told Armstrong to make the call. Armstrong called heads and the coin landed heads up. Armstrong ended up as a patrolman and Boor worked in the jail. Six months later, he was promoted to road duties and attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center where he graduated in May 2000. Twenty-six years later, he's ready to retire.
“I have enjoyed my time serving the state of Kansas and the residents of Barton and Pawnee County,” Boor said.
With nearly three decades of law enforcement experience, Boor shares some of his wisdom with future officers.
“Remember, the badge doesn’t make you who you are: it reveals who you chose to be," he said. "Lead with integrity, listen more than you speak, and never forget that respect is earned daily, not given once.”