Danielle Williams

Feature Story
October 19, 2014
The Man Behind The Title
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- As soon as
Gary Roche blew out his sixteenth
birthday candles he knew right then and
there he wanted to dedicate his life to
protect and serve the general public.
Roche began his career working
summer days and nights as an auxiliary
for the Bridgewater Jail. This
opportunity gave him a chance to work with
police officers and gain knowledge about what

Gary Roche Chief of Police. Photo taken from

http://www.pulaskipd.net/police-chiefbiography.html on October 19, 2014.

he would need for the real work force.

After training in Bridgewater, Roche started his collegiate career at Virginia
Commonwealth University, (VCU). At that time VCU was the only college that
offered a Criminal Justice program. For Roche, being in the police force was the only
path, and VCU had his name written on it.
Gary Roche left VCU in the mid 1970s during the middle of the recession,
which halted his potential career. Not only was the ability to find any job during this
decade difficult, but the police force had also enforced a strict height requirement.
Roche, standing at a height of 57, was not able to apply for most police academies.

Every academys he wanted to apply for had minimum height requirement of 510 to
6 feet.
Roches dream began to fade, as the possibility of continuing in the Criminal
Justice field grew small. Finally, everything changed when law enforcement
recognized that height requirements were a discriminatory act against women who
wanted to protect and serve.
Roche began his law enforcement career in 1976 at the Harrisonburg Police
Department. After two years, he left his hometown in search of bigger and better
things. The most memorable thing that happened in Harrisonburg was the day I left
that Police Department, Roche said. They had a terrible turnover rate and it was
time to move on.
After deciding to leave home, Roche traveled to Roanoke County and began
to work at the Roanoke County Sherriffs office, where he served on the enforcement
team. As a police officer, Roche performed tasks such as patrol, which included the
day and night shifts as well as Special Weapons and Tactic, (S.W.A.T).
While performing S.W.A.T, Roche had the chance
to take part in many tasks including sniper, assistant
team leader and entry.
In 2001, Roche became the Chief of Police for
Pulaski County. I had spent a long time in the career,
and I topped out where I was in Roanoke County, said
Roche. It was time to try something new.
Plaques hung in Pulaski Police Department. Photo taken
by Danielle Williams on October 8, 2014.

The job quickly changed pace, and serving in the field was not his first
priority. As the Chief of Police for Pulaski, Roche has a team he has to look out for.
His staff is under his protection. My job is to make sure my staff is safe, Roche
said. After all, one of the three reasons I have stayed in law enforcement for this
long is because of my team.
Along with supervision and protection of the entire department, Roche is
also responsible for looking down the road for the Pulaski Police Department. He
has to make sure all the resources are up to date and available to his staff members.
Every now and then he goes out a call, but only if the problem becomes serious.
Around an officers fifth to seventh year, police departments begin to lose
some of its staff. The officers are young and want to do more things with their life.
We get this perception that we are not making a difference anymore, Roche said.
One night Roche was working the midnight shift and he had finally hit the
six-year mark. It was bone chilling cold outside and I had hit my breaking point,
Roche said. He received a call at three a.m. about an accident on 81 where two local
college kids crashed through a median and into a pole. Roche was the first to arrive
at the scene.
I rushed out of the car and heard blood curdling screams coming from this
banged up Volkswagen, Roche said. I look over and see this young girl on the
ground with blood freezing as it is pouring out of her head. As I ran up to her, she
began to see my uniform and badge and at that moment the look of terror left her
face and she calmed down. At that instance I realized that I could not quit.

The perception that officers are not making a difference was suddenly gone
from Roches mind. It was then and there I realized I am doing something that can
really make a difference in other peoples lives, Roche said.
Today Roche is still the Chief of Police for Pulaski County where he makes a
difference in not only other peoples lives, but in his staffs lives as well. He lives in
Pulaski with his wife and three kids. In his free time he loves to fish, camp and shoot.
Although he may be off the clock, he is always on call. He continues to serve Pulaski
County and its community on a daily basis.
I love Pulaski and right now I could not dream of leaving it, Roche said. I
still believe in dedicating my life to do right and help others.

Pulaski Police Departments new patrol car and

officer. Police officer wishes to keep name
anonymous. Photo taken by Danielle Williams
on October 8, 2014.