Ken and Susan (Mitchell) Small
1965
Susan and I met in the 10th grade when we were introduced by my best friend, Dave Courant. We started dating in the 11th grade, and we’ve been together ever since.
Following high school, Susan and I attended Pierce Jr. College. She worked for Pacific Telephone in Canoga Park, and I worked as a manager of McDonalds on Sherman Way in Reseda. However, I wasn’t a very dedicated student. That resulted in me being drafted into the United States Army in April 1967. I still recall the letter I received. It said, “Greetings from the President of the United States. You are ordered to report for induction into the United States Military on April 4, 1967.” I had to report 10 days after receiving the letter.
In the military, I went to Fort Ord, CA, for basic training and Fort Polk, LA, for advanced infantry training. I had a brief leave following Fort Polk, and Susan and I were married in Reseda on August 29, 1967. We had a very brief honeymoon in Yosemite National Park before I had to report to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana for a Personnel Management Specialist School. Following that school, I was assigned in Okinawa for the next 18 months. We were very fortunate because Susan was able to join me for about 12 months of the time in Okinawa. We lived “off base” in a small Japanese town.
After the military, Susan returned to work at Pacific Telephone, and I worked for Dale’s Markets while attending California State University, Northridge. I was a “pre-law” major and planned to go to law school after graduation. However, much to Susan’s disappointment, I decided that I wanted to be a police officer instead of an attorney. In August, 1971, I began my career with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Susan and I lived in Reseda between 1971 and 1996. Susan stopped working before our first child (Ken Jr.) was born in 1972. We had two more children, Tom (1973) and Jennifer (1978). I worked many assignments throughout Los Angeles during those 25 years, and I promoted several times finally reaching the rank of captain and working in the Watts area of South Central Los Angeles. I also returned to school part-time. I eventually obtained a BA degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge and a MS degree in Management from Cal Poly, Pomona. I also graduated from the California Police Command College.
Following high school, Susan and I attended Pierce Jr. College. She worked for Pacific Telephone in Canoga Park, and I worked as a manager of McDonalds on Sherman Way in Reseda. However, I wasn’t a very dedicated student. That resulted in me being drafted into the United States Army in April 1967. I still recall the letter I received. It said, “Greetings from the President of the United States. You are ordered to report for induction into the United States Military on April 4, 1967.” I had to report 10 days after receiving the letter.
In the military, I went to Fort Ord, CA, for basic training and Fort Polk, LA, for advanced infantry training. I had a brief leave following Fort Polk, and Susan and I were married in Reseda on August 29, 1967. We had a very brief honeymoon in Yosemite National Park before I had to report to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana for a Personnel Management Specialist School. Following that school, I was assigned in Okinawa for the next 18 months. We were very fortunate because Susan was able to join me for about 12 months of the time in Okinawa. We lived “off base” in a small Japanese town.
After the military, Susan returned to work at Pacific Telephone, and I worked for Dale’s Markets while attending California State University, Northridge. I was a “pre-law” major and planned to go to law school after graduation. However, much to Susan’s disappointment, I decided that I wanted to be a police officer instead of an attorney. In August, 1971, I began my career with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Susan and I lived in Reseda between 1971 and 1996. Susan stopped working before our first child (Ken Jr.) was born in 1972. We had two more children, Tom (1973) and Jennifer (1978). I worked many assignments throughout Los Angeles during those 25 years, and I promoted several times finally reaching the rank of captain and working in the Watts area of South Central Los Angeles. I also returned to school part-time. I eventually obtained a BA degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge and a MS degree in Management from Cal Poly, Pomona. I also graduated from the California Police Command College.
Sept 2012
In 1996, I applied for the position of Chief of Police with the Daytona Beach Police Department in Florida. After a lengthy selection process, and several trips to Florida, I accepted the position. I retired from the Los Angeles Police Department in September 1996 and began working as the Chief of Police in Daytona Beach. Susan remained in California through December, selling our house and making arrangements for our move.
We were in Daytona Beach from 1996 to 2002. We built a custom home in a new residential community surrounding the LPGA Headquarters. Daytona Beach was a nice city, and we made many new friends. However, we discovered that it’s very difficult for two California natives to adjust to living conditions in Central Florida. Also, it was difficult to be so far away from our family in Southern California. We found that we spent most of our vacations returning to visit family and friends.
In 2002, I applied for the position of Chief of Police with the Huntington Beach Police Department. We both celebrated when I was eventually selected for the position. I resigned from the Daytona Beach Police Department in October, 2002, and moved to Huntington Beach. Susan remained in Daytona Beach through December and then moved to Huntington Beach and joined me.
I worked as Chief of Police in Huntington Beach through December 2013 when I retired. I tell people that Huntington Beach is “the best place I ever worked and the best place I ever lived”. While working in Huntington Beach, it became necessary for us to adopt three of our grandchildren. That is a difficult and complicated story, so suffice it to say the problems that resulted in that occurring have all been completely resolved. Autumn (now 16), Austin (now 13) and Alyssa (now 6) live with us. Susan and I continue living in Huntington Beach where we are both healthy and happy. I am trying to adjust to being recently retired, and Susan is a full time wife and mother who spends a great deal of time volunteering at our grandchildren’s schools. Our adult children live in Buena Park, Covina and Maple Valley, WA and we have 7 grandchildren.
Susan and I both loved our time at Cleveland High School, and we both look forward to the reunions where we can see so many class members. High school friends that we see frequently are Steve Kluewer and JoAnn (Nelson) Freeman.
We were in Daytona Beach from 1996 to 2002. We built a custom home in a new residential community surrounding the LPGA Headquarters. Daytona Beach was a nice city, and we made many new friends. However, we discovered that it’s very difficult for two California natives to adjust to living conditions in Central Florida. Also, it was difficult to be so far away from our family in Southern California. We found that we spent most of our vacations returning to visit family and friends.
In 2002, I applied for the position of Chief of Police with the Huntington Beach Police Department. We both celebrated when I was eventually selected for the position. I resigned from the Daytona Beach Police Department in October, 2002, and moved to Huntington Beach. Susan remained in Daytona Beach through December and then moved to Huntington Beach and joined me.
I worked as Chief of Police in Huntington Beach through December 2013 when I retired. I tell people that Huntington Beach is “the best place I ever worked and the best place I ever lived”. While working in Huntington Beach, it became necessary for us to adopt three of our grandchildren. That is a difficult and complicated story, so suffice it to say the problems that resulted in that occurring have all been completely resolved. Autumn (now 16), Austin (now 13) and Alyssa (now 6) live with us. Susan and I continue living in Huntington Beach where we are both healthy and happy. I am trying to adjust to being recently retired, and Susan is a full time wife and mother who spends a great deal of time volunteering at our grandchildren’s schools. Our adult children live in Buena Park, Covina and Maple Valley, WA and we have 7 grandchildren.
Susan and I both loved our time at Cleveland High School, and we both look forward to the reunions where we can see so many class members. High school friends that we see frequently are Steve Kluewer and JoAnn (Nelson) Freeman.
A recent family photo, taken in the majesty of Yosemite National Park, includes: Susan, with Alyssa on her lap, Austin, Ken and Autumn
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Ken, in uniform, with Alyssa
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The Wedding Photo
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Comments
Dear Ken and Susan,
I enjoyed reading your heartwarming sweet story and seeing first hand how young love grows so beautifully! You have had quite an adventure together! I loved meeting and talking with you both over the weekend of our 65th birthday. Can't wait to see you again at the 50th and hopefully have more one on one time to exchange more of our life's stories with each other!! You both are an inspiration and a lovely couple. And might I add, still look as young and cute as you did in high school!
:-) Donna (Irwin) McGarr
I enjoyed reading your heartwarming sweet story and seeing first hand how young love grows so beautifully! You have had quite an adventure together! I loved meeting and talking with you both over the weekend of our 65th birthday. Can't wait to see you again at the 50th and hopefully have more one on one time to exchange more of our life's stories with each other!! You both are an inspiration and a lovely couple. And might I add, still look as young and cute as you did in high school!
:-) Donna (Irwin) McGarr
Another success story from two great classmates. Ken, your career in Law Enforcement is exemplary. I glad to have reconnected with you and Sue at the 65 Birthday party. You two have overcome life's challenges and positively affected the lives of many others through your thoughts and actions . I'm glad you chose to share your story with our class.
Dick Eyster
Dick Eyster