By Stephanie Dolan
During a career that spanned three decades, Lt. Randy Davis trained more than 16,000 officers at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield. The Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement academy instructor died Aug. 21 at age 80.
“Every one of them has fond memories of him,” daughter-in-law Stefanie Davis said of those Davis trained. “Tactics he taught over the years have actually saved many of their lives.”
Davis remembered students’ names and stories of their class years after they were at the academy, said his son Greg Davis who lives in Avon.
“He had an excellent memory,” Greg Davis said. “We couldn’t go anywhere on vacation without him running into a cop he’d taught at one point.”
When the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy first opened, it was in Bloomington. Davis played a significant role planning for the Plainfield building, shooting range and training course.
Davis led sniper school training sessions at Camp Atterbury, and when he was at the academy, he trained people in firearms, physical tactics and emergency vehicle operations, his children said.
“I cannot put into words the amount of respect that I have for Lt. Randy Davis, because there aren’t enough words in the dictionary,” John Potter wrote on a public Facebook page honoring Davis. “When I was the training officer at my department, we formed an honor guard. I called ‘The Lt.’ for insight and ideas, just a phone call for some information. Instead he came and addressed our honor guard and taught us how to ‘do it right.’ He was an invaluable aid to the formation and discipline of our team.”
Even with the majority of his career at the police academy, Davis was also proud of his time in the Marine Corps where he served for four years after enlisting in 1958.
“He had Marine Corps stuff all over his house,” Stefanie Davis said. “He’s got probably over 125 challenge coins. Apparently, it’s a big deal within law enforcement and the military. Any officer can come up to you at any time and ask to see your challenge coin. If you don’t have it with you, then you have to follow their orders and do whatever is asked, regardless of where you are.”
In his spare time, Davis loved woodworking. He got his training by working for a carpenter after he finished his time in the Marines, before joining the police force, Greg Davis said.
“He built an A-frame house on Center Street in Plainfield from scratch,” Stefanie Davis said.
The amount of help the family has received from fellow officers during this time has been amazing, Stefanie Davis said.
Family and fellow officers and friends will hold a service for Davis at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Visit the public group at http://facebook.com/groups/338397210877155/?ref=share to read and share memories about Davis.
An auction will be held 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at 8471 N. C.R. 925 E., Seymour.
