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In his last official act as Snowflake-Taylor police chief, Larry Scarber introduced Police Chief Bobby Martin as his replacement to a room full of friends and family, as the Honorable Judge Fred Peterson came forward to swear Martin into office on June 28 at the Snowflake Town Hall.
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A 40-year veteran in law enforcement, Scarber offered a few words of commendation, as he turned the reins of the office over to Martin, “I was very pleased with the selection of Bobby Martin for police chief. Bobby has been a tremendously loyal follower, he has made me look like a much better leader than I really am, and he has never withheld his best efforts.”
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As Scarber came to the end of his last official act, he offered a few words of advice to Martin, “Be loyal to your followers and treat them well. Praise often in public, rebuke, if necessary, in private. Measure your words carefully. Before speaking or sending an email, consider if you would be proud to see those words on the front page of the newspaper the next day.”
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Scarber’s last words filled the room, reminding everyone of what really defines a leader, when he said, “Finally, some leaders are defined by a single significant act, that may be an act of heroism or it might be an act of cowardice. My career has been defined by 1,000 small acts. I hope that you will take opportunities to show kindness, charity and respect.”
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Peterson then lead Martin through the swearing-in, which was followed by the long-held tradition of the police department for the pinning of the badge and the stars to be done by family members.
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Martin’s wife, Becca Martin, did the pinning of the chief’s badge while, Billy and Kelly Martin, Martin’s parents, pinned the stars.
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Martin, who has been with the department for 12 years, took the podium and shared, “I was born and raised in Snowflake and my life is a testament of how this community raises their own. It is a great experience for me to have you all here and share this with you.”
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Continuing, Martin said that he never had plans to be a police officer even though when he was a kid he would walk around in his underwear with a toy gun stuck in his sock.
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“It was never really a thought in my mind of becoming a cop. However, people who talk with me and grew up with me, would say different. Being a law enforcement officer fits me very well.”
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Martin shared that the turning point for his career came one Wednesday at 7 a.m. in the morning, when he was sitting in his dad’s office. “I was slow on work and my dad handed me the newspaper, reminding me that I had a wife and kids to support.”
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An ad for a police officer in Pinetop-Lakeside caused Martin to head over to the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department to see if there were openings there that would be closer to home.
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“I applied that day. On Saturday I took the test and was offered my first position,” concluded Martin. “It has been a quick downhill ride ever since then. I have been grateful for it every day. I have been able to hold a lot of positions in this department. I have been able to do a lot of specialty assignments. I look forward to taking this department to the next evolution of what we are going to do and bring it into a new light as far as being more involved in the community. Chief Scarber has done a fantastic job of setting that pathway for us. And it’s up to us to continue that.”
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The ceremony ended with everyone invited to a lunch buffet that included pulled pork and chicken sandwiches at Martin’s parents’ home in Snowflake.
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