'Friendly Neighborhood Park Ranger' Feted For 50 Years Of Service

SHIRLEY, NY — A Shirley park ranger who has seen his share of heartbreak and joyful moments was honored this week for 50 years of dedicated service.

The Suffolk County Parks Department has been enriched for five decades by devoted employee Sergeant Robert W. Deshler, a resident who has loyally protected and served park patrons and wildlife, Suffolk County legislators said

At the general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature on Oct. 2, Suffolk County Legislator Rudy Sunderman and his colleagues presented Sgt. Deshler with a proclamation, signed by all 18 legislators, for his five decades of service to Suffolk County.

“To have a career that spans 50 years and to still have the desire to serve is a truly impressive feat,” Sunderman said.

Sgt. Deshler has been a resident of Shirley since 1952; after he graduated from William Floyd High School in 1962, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. and served until 1966, a release said.

He started his career with Suffolk County by joining the Sheriff’s Department in 1969 before making the move to join the newly formed Suffolk County Park rangers division, where he served for 50 years.

During his time as a park ranger, Sgt. Deshler initiated the first mounted unit, through which he proudly patroled parks on horseback until the unit was disbanded, Sunderman said. When the park rangers transitioned into the parks police, Sgt. Deshler began patroling parks in the newly formed ATV nit and became an instructor for the Central Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council. When he officially retired, it only took a few days for him to return to work as a park ranger, the release said.

“During his 50 years of continuous service to the residents of Suffolk County, Sgt. Deshler has worked from one end of the island to the other,” Sunderman said. “From patroling the parks and saving lives, to securing the scene at the TWA Flight 800 tragedy, Sergeant Deshler is best known as the 'Friendly Neighborhood Park Ranger.' I thank him for his 50 years of service.”