Loughran Looks Back on Cop Career

More than 35 years ago, Mike Loughran knew he wanted a career in law enforcement. It's a decision he has never regretted, he said.

Loughran, 59, ended his police career in August 2009, when he retired as Napa County Undersheriff.

“It was a long run, but I really did enjoy almost every minute of it,” he said. “I’d do it all over again in a heart beat.”

There is the upside of the career, and like any other job, the downside, Loughran said.

He believes the rewards of helping people, getting criminals off the street and solving crimes that bring closure to the victims and their families outweigh the negatives of violence, crime and injury.

“There have been many highlights in my job and other incidents that after many years, I still can’t shake,” he said.

"I took a gun away from a guy"

During his tenure with Napa law enforcement, certain emergency calls he responded to still haunt Loughran:

“I was the first on scene at a fatal accident. A young woman was headed home from Chico State to Napa for her wedding. She was hit by a drunk driver. Her head was severed,” Loughran said.

“I still can picture her blood-stained wedding dress in the back seat of her car. That was a real tough one for me.”

On the other hand, Loughran smiles as he recalls a time early in his career when he responded to a bar brawl in Napa.

“The fight started in the bar and spilled into the street. When I arrived on scene there was a huge brawl in the street. I took a gun away from a guy. Shots were fired somewhere else. I called for backup,” he said.

Meanwhile the neighbors had also called the cops. Police dispatch received the neighbors’ call of shots fired and Loughran’s call for backup.

“The fire department was called. Every peace officer from Calistoga to American Canyon were on their way,” he said, adding that is the way a call is answered if it is believed an officer is being threatened.

“It sounded as the whole cavalry was on its way. No one was seriously hurt, but I knew if I ever really needed help, I could get it and get it fast.”

"We always are there for each other"

Loughran cherishes the great camaraderie shared by his law enforcement co-workers.

“A lot of stress comes with the job of being a cop. We always are there for each other. We like to joke and kid one another as well,” he said.

Napa County Sheriff Doug Koford appointed Loughran as his undersheriff, who serves "at will," meaning the sheriff can replace the undersheriff any time he chooses.

Koford, who is retiring this month, has high praise for his comrade and friend.

“I’ve worked with Mike for over 30 years. At one time, he was my boss. We’ve always been good friends. We have a long history and go way back,” Koford said.

“What I appreciate about Mike is that he has an incredible  knowledge about criminal law, policy and procedure. He has always been a huge resource for me.

“Mike has always been extremely dedicated, putting in long hours on the job,” Koford said. “He’s committed to the community, and I am not surprised he has kept that commitment even after he retired.”

American Canyon Police Chief Jean Donaldson can hardly remember his police career without Loughran being a part of it.

“It seems as if Mike has always been there through most of my career. He always has been a positive influence for me,” Donaldson said.

“We worked through investigations. He always gave me that push I needed to succeed. He’s a great guy and a very good friend.”

"I always put in an honest day’s work" 

Although Loughran has many years of wearing a badge and carrying a gun, he is humble when it comes to boasting about his career accomplishments.

“I’ve never looked at myself as anything special. I started some programs. But it’s always been about serving the public,” he said. “I believe I always put in an honest day’s work and was very committed to my job.

“The civilian public doesn’t have the same experience with others as cops do. We work with domestic violence child abuse, drug dealers, murderers, all types of low-life,” he said.

“I was always very aware not to let myself become cynical. That can be a cops’ biggest enemy.”

Even though he's retired from public service, Loughran remains active in community causes.

The list of agencies with which he has volunteered and chaired is a lengthy one including Rotary Club, Leadership Napa Valley and Pathway Home.

Army brat was passed over by the draft

Loughran was born in San Francisco. His father was a Army officer and the family lived abroad—including France, where Loughran attended school and learned French—before settling in the Bay Area.

“It was a learning experience, but we were never in one place long enough to make lasting friendships,” he said.

After graduating from high school in San Rafael in Marin County, Loughran took a break and worked in Lake Tahoe as a “Jack of all trades” he said.

“I signed up for the Army, but my draft number didn’t come up.”

After attending Dominican College in San Rafael, Loughran decided on a law enforcement career.

“I thought it would be challenging and something different,” he said.

He started at the Fairfax Police Department in 1972 as a dispatcher and hired on as a reserve police officer a few years later. In 1977 he became a dispatcher with the sheriff’s office. 

From there he rose to patrol deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and undersheriff.

"Dad had a hard job"

Loughran’s son Kevin, 30, believes the challenging life of a family with a law-enforcement father also had rewards.

“It was actually good for me. I was raised with great morals and (an) incredible role model,” Kevin said.

“Dad had a hard job and dealt with a lot of bad people, but he would come home everyday and be a great father. I knew a lot of times it was difficult for him to put the stress of the day behind him. The whole sheriff’s department is basically one big family. That’s what I grew up with.”

Kevin admits having a cop for a dad leads to higher standards to meet.

“But I never felt pressure. I knew I was under a watchful eye, but it kept me in line,” he said.

“It’s really so great that he has retired. He has so much more time for us. And I love that.”

Besides Kevin, Loughran and his wife of more than 30 years, Denise, who runs a interior design business, also have a daughter, Erin. She is married and works as an accountant in San Francisco and Kevin works for Southwest Airlines.