OPD Sgt. Hudson resigns
Olney Police Sgt. Dustin Hudson resigned from the city’s police force, effective Oct. 3, to tend to his two local restaurants and to a family cattle operation, he said.
Sgt. Hudson had served with the OPD since December of 2018. He came to Olney after serving as a full-time firefighter and instructor starting in 2003, he said.
“I’ve worked most of my life in emergency services and it’s time to exit the 911 world and focus on my family and new ways of serving the people of Olney and Young County,” he said.
Sgt. Hudson, who also served as the department’s detective and oversaw code enforcement, will continue to serve as a reserve officer, Police Chief Dan Birbeck said.
“He’s still badge-toting and has arrest authority so be nice to him,” Chief Birbeck said.
“Sgt. Hudson has decided to step away from the police department – not permanently,” Chief Birbeck said. “He will help us out as needed.”
Chief Birbeck said Sgt. Hudson “has been an invaluable asset” and “part of the reason why I came to the Olney Police Department in the first place. Working with him has been an absolute pleasure. The guy is a working machine.”
Sgt. Hudson and his family purchased Hometown Coffee & Tea from the Bailey family in May of 2023, and opened a steakhouse next door, Hudson’s on Main in August. “Now that they’ve got that going … that needs to be a priority for him and I completely understand that and respect that,” Chief Birbeck said.
Chief Birbeck lauded Sgt. Hudson as the main reason the OPD has “done 20 years worth of work in five years.”
“The majority of the credit goes to Dustin … we would not be where we are … if it wasn’t for Sgt. Hudson. A true hero and a true patriot and a true law enforcement officer.”
Sgt. Hudson’s departure comes as the OPD is grappling with seismic changes: the death of Cpl. Miranda Wright in August and the absence of dispatcher Brandy Blodgett, who was injured in an accident.
The OPD will not begin its search for a senior- level officer to step into Sgt. Hudson’s job, Chief Birbeck said.