Photo by Deb Gau Officer Sara VanLeeuwe of the Marshall Police Department chatted with guests, including Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallen, at her retirement reception Monday.

MARSHALL — Sara VanLeeuwe was a familiar face for many students in Marshall schools. Over the course of her 30-year career as a police officer, VanLeeuwe taught anti-drug classes, and served for 19 years as the Marshall School Resource Officer.

VanLeeuwe said interacting with the kids was one of the things she enjoyed about her job.

“I 100% loved being in the schools,” VanLeeuwe said. “For me, it was like the best thing I could have done.”

Now, VanLeeuwe is moving on to a new chapter in her life. Community members attended a retirement reception for her on Monday afternoon.

VanLeeuwe said she knew she wanted to be a police officer from the time she was in high school.

“I knew I was not someone who could sit still,” she said.

Based on stories from adults she knew, she thought law enforcement seemed like a good fit.

VanLeeuwe’s career began with a position as a part-time patrol officer — and later as acting police chief — in the city of Minneota.

In 1995, she was hired as a part-time officer with the Marshall Police Department. She became a full-time officer in 1997, and went on to teach the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program at Marshall Middle School and Holy Redeemer School.

In 2006, VanLeewe became the School Resource Officer at Marshall Public Schools.

VanLeeuwe said she had been through both difficult and positive experiences as a police officer. One highlight was when she answered a police call and ended up helping a mother deliver her baby, she said.

“I just liked the relationships with people,” she said. VanLeeuwe said she also liked that police work brought something new every day.

One thing VanLeeuwe said she took away from her D.A.R.E. training was to always “keep her heart in the game,” and not become hardened by the job. She showed some of the people at the reception the heart sticker she put on the back side of her police badge.

“I have worn a heart behind my badge every shift since 1997, and I am leaving very thankful for all of the love and support shared throughout my career,” VanLeeuwe wrote in a message she shared at the reception.

In retirement, VanLeeuwe said she might help out as a substitute worker at schools. She also wanted to take time to travel, and for horseback riding.