"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." — Vince Lombardi

CONCORD LOST TWO of its finest police officers at the end of July, due to early retirement. Capts. Paul Crane and Stuart Roloson of the Concord Police Department decided to turn in their badges when they reached the age of 50.

The two officers worked for the department a combined total of 60 years and retired while still in excellent health and with unblemished records — especially noteworthy, considering the nature of their jobs.

Why does anyone want to become a police officer and what satisfaction does he or she gain in making law enforcement a career? These were some of the questions I posed to Crane and Roloson.

Paul Crane grew up in Vallejo and originally considered a career in business administration. After mulling it over, he decided that being bound to a desk was not his cup of tea. He opted, instead, to try out as an officer with the Calistoga Police Department.

It was the summer of 1979, and that move launched his future in law enforcement. After a year on the force, Crane quit to accept a similar position with the Concord Police Department.

Crane assumed every assignment from patrolman to dog handler, from detective to being a member of S.W.A.T.

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As a reward for his job proficiency, he was promoted to sergeant and then to lieutenant and ultimately to captain, a position reserved for those exceptional officers who comprise the management team of the department.

One of the most heinous crimes that took place in the Bay Area around a decade ago made national news. The case involved multiple homicides that included an elderly couple living in Concord, and Crane was the department's public spokesman at the time.

Although the suspects were apprehended almost immediately, the criminal investigation took eight months to complete. Crane maintained regular contact with the victim's family, who live outside the area, to keep them abreast of the case. In gratitude, the family developed a warm friendship with Crane and his wife, and the families remain in contact with each other.

Crane's most memorable years were those when he served as a sergeant and worked in the field alongside his officers. It was primarily supervising the recruits and following their progress that gave him his greatest job satisfaction.

Although born in Albany, Stuart Roloson considers himself a lifelong resident of Concord. The son of a reserve county sheriff's deputy, he grew up with an early taste for law enforcement. Therefore, it came as no surprise that he applied as a cadet with the Concord Police Department when he turned 19. Like Crane, Roloson served in every department, except as dog handler, and worked his way up the ranks to the role of captain, in recognition of his demonstrated leadership ability.

Roloson earned a master's degree in public administration while attending classes on his off-duty time, and he was one of a select group of administrators who attended a 10-week management training course at the FBI Academy in Virginia.

Roloson had his share of potentially harrowing experiences as an officer but is thankful he never had to fire his weapon in his service. He did, however, draw his weapon on a fleeing suspect and arrested the man, who it later turned out, was one of the individuals in the homicide case in which Crane played a part.

What Roloson said he enjoyed most about his job was the opportunity to work closely with the community and particularly in the neighborhood where his district office was located.

He made it his priority as a field lieutenant to become personally involved with area residents and, aside from making himself and his staff readily available to them, he organized an open house and annual field day for entire families that even neighborhood merchants took part in.

So what's in store for the two ex-captains now that they are retired?

Crane plans to focus his life around Shelly, his lovely bride of 21 years — she also recently retired from her position as a sergeant with the Clayton Police.

As for Roloson, he is looking forward to more time with his wife, Keiko, and to being a stay-at-home dad to their 4-year old son after having dedicated most of his lifetime to his work.

I, along with their families and their many friends, thank them for having made the community a safer place to live in and wish them the best for the future.

And I know I'll be seeing a lot of Roloson — he just happens to be my son-in-law!

Eizo Kobayashi is a Concord resident and a member of the Concord Senior Citizens Club. Reach him at columns@bayareanewsgroup.com.