Harvey Diem knows a thing or two about law enforcement. And he should, after 37 years with the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office.

Diem has faced tough criminals, “gang bangers,” and received several thank-yous from former criminals who have changed their lives, thanks to Diem’s intervention.

Now Diem’s career with law enforcement is over. He retired Thursday.

“Now I plan to work on my ranch and write,” he said at his retirement celebration Thursday afternoon. “I write poetry, and I plan on writing a book.”

Diem began his career in law enforcement at the Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 1, 1971, serving as a reserve under the legendary Sheriff Amos Ward. Things have changed quite a bit since that time.

“When Amos was sheriff, we wore western style pants, a white shirt, a bolo tie, a cowboy hat and all our accessories like our gun belt were brown leather,” Diem recalled. “He wouldn’t allow the reserves to carry a gun on their hip, but he would say, ‘Don’t have to go home to get it’. I have all the uniforms from serving under four sheriffs.”

Serving as a reserve under both Ward and former Sheriff Jack Tanner, Diem became a full-time deputy when Buck Johnson served as sheriff. He retained that position when current Sheriff Jerry Prather took office.

Diem worked as a patrolman for many years before providing security at the Rogers County Courthouse on behalf of the sheriff’s office.

As a patrolman, Diem has experienced many interesting situations, sometimes without backup.

“I was sent to Inola Hay Day once where some young guys were fighting across the street from the Police Department,” he said. “I went to break it up and by the time I got over there, I felt someone put their hand on my gun. I said, ‘If you don’t move your hand, I’m gonna kill you’. I had a place about (five feet) around me cleared out. They knew I was serious.

“I’ve had people come up to me and thank me because they went to jail and got cleaned up,” Diem said. “You know, I always treated a guy like a human being. If they behaved themselves, I treated them like a human being. I never saw the need to hit someone, but I’ve had to.

“Every once in a while you meet someone like you see on TV — and they’re not making it up (on TV). It’s scary to know there are people like that out there.”

Fellow Deputy Tom Howse was among those saying goodbye to Diem.

“I want his saddle and his Henry rifle when he turns them in,” Howse said jokingly. “He’s been around that long. Harvey’s a great guy.”

Rogers County Commissioner Dan DeLozier said he rode with Diem when he served as a reserve in 1985.