97-Year-Old Deputy From Cleburne Is Oldest Working Officer In The World

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Cleburne, TX – A 97-year-old Texas deputy has been recognized as the “oldest working law enforcement officer in the world” according to the Chisholm Trail Museum. He has over 74 years on the job.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Hardin says he is feeling “pretty good for an old guy.” Apparently, he has no intention of retiring from the force any time soon.

“I’m going to keep doing this until the sheriff runs me out,” he told KTVT. “If I can make it to 75, I may go ahead and retire.”

Oldest Working Officer Has 74 Years On The Job

Deputy Hardin’s law enforcement career began all the way back in 1947 when he joined the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD), he said during a 2018 interview.

Deputy Hardin can still remember his first day on the job.

“They were only hiring people who were at least 23 years old. I was only 22, but I was going to be 23 in a month, so they went ahead and hired me,” Deputy Hardin told the Cleburne Times-Review back in 2013.

“When I got on the bus, I was in full uniform, except for my cap shield and my badge. When I got [to the red granite building that housed the police department], they gave me my cap shield, my badge, a call box key and a plastic whistle,” he said. “I worked a six-day week, and I made $165 a month.”

Dedication to Law Enforcement

Deputy Hardin comes from a family who have also dedicated their lives to law enforcement. His uncle served in law enforcement and his two brothers also served alongside each other in the Fort Worth Police Department.

His nephew served with the Arlington Police Department, and his late daughter worked as a dispatcher.

In 1970, Deputy Hardin and a group of officers founded the Texas Narcotics Officers Association.

He also worked as a police academy instructor during his tenure at FWPD.

In 1985, Deputy Hardin retired from the FWPD, but couldn’t keep himself away from work. He returned to duty and served another eight years at the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Officer before he retired yet again.

He then went on and joined the Johnson County Sheriff’s Officer and will celebrate 27 years with the department in June.

Chisholm Trail Museum Honors Oldest Working Officer with Exhibit

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A new exhibit unveiled at the Chisholm Trail Museum features Deputy Hardin. It is believed that he is the oldest working law enforcement officer in the history of the world.

Johnson County Sheriff Adam King described Deputy Hardin as a “people-person” who takes the time to talk with the local citizens he serves.

“We want him to know that he is important to us and he’s important to the community,” Sheriff King told KTVT.

Deputy Hardin said he is humbled and appreciative of the honor.

Johnson County is located at the southwestern edge of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. The Chisholm Trail Museum is located at 101 Chisholm Trail, Cleburne, TX 76033.