BADGE OF HONORCELEBRATING 40 YEARS AS AN OFFICER... AND TRUE FRIEND TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

"There was one traffic light," said Keller. Justone. "Back then, a drive through Bothell could bedownright lonely.“If you were working a night shift and youparked on the side of Bothell Way, you could sitthere for a few hours beforeyou saw another car drive by.”Keller’s duties were different back then, too.Frequently, they included cow herding.Before there was a University of Washingtoncampus in Bothell, there was a cattle ranch. Abig one. And those cows liked to roam."We'd often get a call that the cowsfrom the Truly farm had gotten out," reflectedKeller. "We had to go help round them up." story continues

Make no mistake: For Captain Bryan Keller…this is a milestone, not a finish line. He’llsmile as he’s handed an engraved plaque,honoring his forty years of service with BothellPolice. He’ll blush and tolerate the many thankyou’s and congratulations that come his way. But don’t expect him to segue a quiet life offishing or golfing. To the relief of Bothell Police, Captain Kellerhas no plans to retire.Keller still gets up before dawn every morning. He puts on the uniform and polishes his boots,the same way he did when he first reported forduty on December 1, 1980. As Keller recalls, Bothell looked a little differentback then.

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“His expectation of excellence is well known. Don’t turn in a report that is poorlywritten snd expect it to pass his muster,” saidCummings. “If your uniform stars are not placed thecorrect distance from the collar, it is a certaintythat Bryan will notice. And yes, I DO speak fromexperience.”“Those standards, I soon came to realize, areactually an indication of a deep optimism,” saidCummings. “Captain Keller truly believes thateveryone at the Bothell Police Department iscapable of reaching that level of excellence andso why should anyone settle for less?” You might think such an officer would havelittle time for anything else. But thereagain, Keller will surprise you. He’salso tirelessly devoted to Special Olympics."He's done more for Special Olympics thananyone at Bothell Police," saidSeuberlich. Indeed, Keller has served as a final-leg-torch-team runner, a lead fundraiser, WashingtonState Torch Run Director, even a "SuperPlunger," for the annual polar plunge thatraises money so more people canparticipate in Special Olympics. story continues

Those days are long gone, andKeller's okay with that."Yeah, I don't miss that," Kelleradmits. Through the years, Keller has watched Bothellgrow and change. But he says some thingsare the same.“If you’re here on the 4th of July, you’ll seewhat I mean,” said Keller. “Also, Bothell has always seen itself as its owncity with its own identity. Bothell doesn’t wantto be anyone’s bedroom-community. It’sBothell. That hasn’t changed.”To Keller, Bothell is a very special place; acommunity worthy of spending a lifetimeserving.Keller grew up in the town of Snohomish. In1980, he’d just completed his four-yearcommitment with the United States Marines. He didn’t have to look far to find his nextcalling. “I always wanted to be a police officer,”said Keller. Bothell Police Chief Ken Seuberlich isgrateful that Keller is in no rush to retire. “Bryan is the epitome of a dedicated publicservant,” said Seuberlich. “He models our corevalues of service, honesty,integrity, excellence, loyalty and duty.”When asked to sum up Keller's duties andaccomplishments over the years, Seuberlich drops a heavy file on his desk witha thud that rattles his coffee cup. The file is atleast five inches thick. Where to start?"Keller has served as a patrol officer, trainingofficer, patrol corporal, patrol sergeant,detective sergeant, traffic sergeant, trainingsergeant, operations captain, investigationscaptain," said Seuberlich, apparently justgetting started. "He also helped create thetactics team, traffic unit, honor guard..."The list goes on and on. Along the way, Keller earned a reputation as abit of a stickler, according to former BothellPolice Chief Carol Cummings.

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“The only other time I have seen Bryan light upas much as he does at Special Olympic events iswhen he was at the academy, watching his songet sworn in as an officer in for Everett PD,”said Cummings. His fatherly pride is, however, mixed with adose of reality: The job of a police officer is anincreasingly dangerous one. For Keller, serviceto others gives a life greater meaning… whetherthat life is short or long. “40 years of experience has lefthim with a deep understanding of theimportance of honor and tradition,” saidCummings. “Should there be a fallen firstresponder or soldier, Capt.Keller is going to make certain the city’s flagswill be flying at half-staff. It is a guarantee that he will be up at dawn, inhis immaculate uniform to lead the BPD HonorGuard at the memorial in order to showrecognition and respect of those who made theultimate sacrifice.”We may not know where Captain Bryan Kellerwill be 10 years from now, but we know wherehe’ll be tomorrow morning; up before dawn,,polishing his boots, putting on the uniform andgetting ready for another day of serving Bothelland its community.

“…that is where you will truly see another sideof his personality come out,” said Cummings. “His wide smile and enthusiastic cheerleadingat these events shattered my image of the stoicCapt. Keller. Whether it is selling programs atSeahawks games, organizing a SpecialOlympics torch run, waiting tables at a fundraiser or umping in to a freezing lake for theSpecial Olympics polar plunge, Bryan isguaranteed to be leading the charge; laughing,encouraging and inspiring others.”Why does he do it? Keller answers with aquestion. "Have you ever been toSpecial Olympics?" "When you see the joy Special Olympics bringsand how it changes lives, I just haveto be a part of that,' said Keller. Deputy Chief Clint Beck sees Keller’s dedicationto Special Olympics as something thatgoes even deeper.“It shows the value he puts on treating allpeople with respect. Everyone. He’s groundedin that integrity,” said Beck. "It's always been about service,"said Keller. "There's more to life than justyourself. You've got to serve others."It’s a lesson that has clearly rubbed off; onother Bothell Police officers, and in his own home.

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