The following information about Sergeant Crompton is from the Serenity Lane ceremony program:
Larry Crompton became a cop because his dad, a career undercover officer, told him he was not going to be a cop. When Larry insisted, his dad said, “Treat people with respect, treat them fairly, and hold them accountable. Your goal when you take someone to jail should be to have them thank you and shake your hand.” Larry has applied those lessons in his 25 years with the Eugene Police Department.
Larry tells the story of a young woman he encountered in downtown Eugene on a regular basis. “When I arrested her on a drug charge, she would just as soon have spit on me as say hello.” He told her, “I’m here for you. When you hit rock bottom, come see me and I will help you.” Before long, she called him and they began to stay in touch. Larry was instrumental in getting her to leave the drug life behind.
The woman eventually entered and completed drug court. Larry wrote her a letter of support and attended her graduation, where she thanked him during her graduation talk. The latest update is that she has a new boyfriend and she is working toward a job in the medical field.
Larry was a background investigator for 18 years and he was EPD Officer of the Year in 2010. Larry will retire from his 31-year police career on October 31. Our community will miss his dedication and compassion.
Larry and Kara, his wife of 22 years, have two grown daughters, Brittani and Mikayla. They share their rural property with three horses, three dogs, a goat named Buddy and a pig name Penelope.