Kevin Hudspeth Bids a Heartfelt Farewell

After nearly two decades with the Sedona Police Department, Kevin Hudspeth signed off the police radio for the final time at 4 p.m. on Monday, December 23, marking the beginning of his retirement.

Reflecting on his career, Hudspeth noted, “It was a long journey, a lot of hard work and a lot of stuff I had to go through that people never heard, or probably never will hear about.” His tenure with the Sedona Police began on January 11, 2006.

Hudspeth’s career in public service started much earlier. He joined the U.S. Navy on May 30, 1986, serving for eight years and rising to the rank of petty officer second class. His experience as a military police officer beginning in October 1991 deepened his passion for law enforcement, particularly during his time in an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit working alongside U.S. Marines. His military career took him from San Diego to Diego Garcia, a joint British-U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean.

Transitioning to civilian law enforcement, Hudspeth’s journey began in Everett, Washington, in 2003. He rose through the ranks at the Sedona Police Department, initially serving as a patrol officer. He later became a firearms instructor, developed the department’s rifle program, and served as an armorer. “Before I became the rifle instructor, everyone shared a rifle, which was a large liability,” he explained, highlighting a significant improvement he implemented around 2013.

Another of Hudspeth’s notable achievements was gaining certification as a commercial vehicle inspector in 2018. He utilized a 32-point checklist to ensure the safety of various vehicles, including those carrying hazardous materials.

Throughout his career, Hudspeth encountered numerous high-stakes situations. One particularly memorable incident occurred on July 20, 2016, involving a man barricaded in his car after a workplace dismissal, who had threatened violence. Fortunately, the situation concluded without incident.

Another harrowing call involved a woman who had been bound with duct tape and abuse at a local mobile home park. “It was shocking to open the door and see all that,” Hudspeth recalled.

His actions earned him a lifesaving commendation for responding to a critical incident in Oak Creek Canyon on May 8, 2018. The Sedona Red Rock News reported that Hudspeth intervened when a woman attempted to leap over a three-story railing during a medical emergency. His swift response, alongside firefighters, averted tragedy.

Now retired, Hudspeth plans to shift focus to his passion for golf and hopes to join law enforcement golf tournaments. He also intends to complete several home improvement projects his wife has long outlined. The couple is considering relocating to Mississippi or another southern state, and Hudspeth has no plans to seek new employment.

“I’m just going to try to enjoy retirement and do a lot of golf, and hopefully one day, all my court cases will be closed and I don’t have to deal with it anymore,” he stated, embracing this new chapter in his life.