Submitted by Brooke DeLong
One of Sapulpa’s newest officers is already making a name for herself in the law enforcement community.
Madison Henson was sworn in by Chief Mike Reed on June 16th, 2022 and the rookie made her first drug bust on Memorial Day, finding $2400 and 180 grams of fentanyl related to the Cartel.
It’s almost like law enforcement is in her blood, literally.
Madison, with her dark hair worn in a perfect bun, bright smile, and freckles sprinkled across her cheeks, is the daughter of Brett Henson who served with Sapulpa’s Police Department for thirty-two years and is currently at the Creek County Sheriff’s Office.
Madison’s stepmother Becky Henson has been with the agency for fourteen years and is currently the Records Clerk. She loves making a difference and doing meaningful work and has an eye for accuracy. Madison’s mom is currently a Captain with the Broken Arrow Police Department and her uncle served his community as well. Chief Reed was able to issue Madison the same badge her dad wore, number 57.
Madison recalls wanting to be a veterinarian when she was younger but had some life experiences which caused her relationship with the Lord to grow. She says knew He was calling her to be a cop.
Her dad Brett was a little surprised at the news but he supports her decision and says it’s “a good profession.” The family often talks about the latest happenings in the law enforcement world, but never “the sad stuff.”
Madison will no doubt thrive as an officer with a strong support system at home and at work. While she had her eye on a couple of agencies she said, “Sapulpa felt like home.” Madison is a volunteer for the Police Department Explorers program and can be found camping out with the kids, hosting ride-alongs and more. Because of her love of animals, one of her career goals is to have a K9 partner one day.
Henson is not the only family tie in the department—Phillip Diehl, Services Division Commander, sits behind his desk with canvases of band instruments hanging behind him, as the Chief allows everyone to decorate his or her office as they wish. He said, “I wanted to be a band director.” One day in his Senior year of high school at First Baptist Church he knew the Lord was calling him to be a police officer and has been with the agency for twenty-one years. The news wasn’t exactly music to his dad’s ears, who retired from the agency and tried to steer Phillip away from law enforcement. Phillip said confidently, “It chose me as much as I chose it.” Kevin Diehl served with the Sapulpa Police Department for twenty-five years. Both father and son started their careers on August 16th, twenty-five years apart.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for the Sole family. Ron Sole, with his buzz-cut hair and contagious laugh, says he hears, “Dad, you won’t believe this” from his two law enforcement sons regularly.
He reminisces about times gone by and how much the department and the attitude towards law enforcement has changed over the years. He served Sapulpa for twenty-nine years, about 10-and-a-half of those being Chief of Police. He pulled out a hand-written list of all the officers he could recall who retired from the department and said with a smile, “We had a lot of good days.”
His oldest son recently retired from the Tulsa Police Department and his youngest son Mike works as a detective for SPD. Mike’s been on staff for the past sixteen years and is currently in the same position his father once held. Mr. Sole would tell the officers on the beat now to, “be safe and listen to the older officers and their advice.”
And last but not least, Randy Arnold, Sr. dedicated sixteen years of his life to protecting our community, and his son Randy Arnold Jr. has five years under his belt so far. For those counting, that’s a whopping one hundred and forty-five years served to our community by four families.
Chief’s Administrative Assistant Chris Jeffries believes “it is great that your child would want to work at the same place that you did and carry on the tradition of a law enforcement career.” Having watched what other officers go through each and every day—“the good times and the bad,” she says—she says she “cannot imagine” a greater career choice than protecting the citizens of Sapulpa.
“I see that each of these officers gives everything they have when they leave their house at the beginning of their shift,” she said. ”I hope every day that each of them will return home at the end of their shift. I wish everyone would understand what these officers do every day putting their lives on the line to protect us.”
While these parents may not have chosen the path of law enforcement for their children for so many reasons, it’s plain to see by their hearts to serve, successes in their careers and dedication to our community that the legacy of law enforcement will continue and Sapulpa will be blessed because of it. We thank these families and officers for choosing to serve. For choosing to keep going back to work day after day after seeing the worst of humanity. We thank them for putting their lives on the line for us. We’re praying for you.
“Your career is what you’re paid for. Your calling is what you’re made for.” Steve Harvey
Featured image: Officer Madison Henson and Explorers member Logan DeLong on a citizen ride-along.
