By Mari Radtke
Luke Hughes, a native of White Mountains, Arizona, came to northwest Iowa to study Criminal Justice at Northwestern in Orange City. He met his wife at college who was raised south and east of Paullina. They married about two years ago and currently live in LeMars. Up until taking the Paullina position, which friends encouraged him to do to be closer to his wife’s family, he served as a Plymouth County Ranger with the County Conservation. He is fully certified. He has been with Plymouth County Conservation for about 4 years. Hughes also serves on the Akron and Hinton police departments. He’s been married for two.
He completed the online application and also dropped off a copy. He got an interview. He said it took about 2 or 3 weeks to complete the process. The testing was not required since he was currently active in law enforcement.
White Mountain is rural. Hughes was drawn to the small community and to be closer to his wife’s family. “I really want to be here,” he said.
Hughes says he really likes what the Hinton police chief did for that department. “I want to do that for Paullina,” he said.
The two communities have some similarities – both have a school and host many sporting events. He sees that as one way to have a presence in the community. He likes getting close to the kids and giving them high 5s. He did that at Zion-St. John in Paullina last week. Luke is familiar with Paullina having fished at Mill Creek and family not far away.
His first order of business is to get settled in the job. Hours have not yet been considered. He does not yet have a guess at what types of calls will dominate in Paullina. That’s a respond as needed question.
Hughes was very complimentary about other city employees saying, “Everyone working here has been really great. I made some connections with other officers and community members.”
Until an offer on a house is settled, he is commuting for now. His wife works in Alton.
As always if assistance is needed call 9-1-1.