Kennewick officer Gardner’s retirement celebrated Monday

Kennewick police officer Wes Gardner’s retirement was celebrated on Monday as he received a retirement badge.

He serviced the public as a member of law enforcement for 38 years, said Sgt. Ken Lattin. For the last 21 years, Gardner worked for the Kennewick Police Department.

Gardner once served on the K-9 unit, as a detective and worked tracking registered sex offenders. In 2011 he was assigned to the case of missing 4-year-old Sofia Juarez. The girl left her home to go to a store in 2003 and was never seen again.

Fellow officers, city staff, family, and friends gathered at a retirement ceremony and reception at the police department.

This story was originally published November 28, 2016 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Kennewick officer Gardner’s retirement celebrated Monday."