| | Recently graduated New York State trooper Carl Burdick, and Richfield Springs resident, was assigned to the Herkimer state police barracks. (Photo submitted) | |
“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.” That quote by motivational speaker Les Brown could have been written about Richfield residents Carl and Susan Burdick. With his recent graduation from the New York State Police Academy and his assignment to Troop D as a New York State trooper, Carl Burdick is living the life of his dreams. It’s a simple and honest life that he and his childhood sweetheart have made and now share with their two children. It’s a life of close-knit family, a nice home, lots of friends, and now, the career he dreamed of his whole life. “He always wanted to do this,” said Susan, as she sat at her dining room table last week. “Even in high school. That’s what made him go into the service. He liked the uniform and the respect that goes with the uniform.” Lifelong classmates since kindergarten, Susan said she and her husband officially began dating in ninth grade. He was a lifelong resident of Schuyler Lake, she was a lifelong resident of Richfield Springs. They graduated from Richfield Springs Central School in 1993 and a year later, they were married. Within months, he had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, completed basic training and then the two started their new life as he served his country. Together, they traveled the world while he completed his tours of duty in Italy, Panama, Cuba, Columbia, Costa Rica and Africa, just to name a few places. Before leaving the Air Force in 2001, Burdick had worked his way up to an E5 staff sergeant. “I got to see the world and meet a lot of great people. They were a lot like family,” said Susan, who grew up in the house she and her husband are raising their family in today. Born to Shirley and Sidney La Fountain, she was one of seven kids, “six girls and one boy. Carl, (born to parents Carl Sr. and Gloria) came from four kids.” They returned to Richfield Springs where “life is perfect,” she said. They spend their free time with their 8-year-old son, Carl III, and their 4-year-old daughter, Sydney, riding ATVs, camping or just being outside. After leaving the service, Carl worked locally, including a supervisory position and one in loss prevention with Wal-Mart. His plans to enter the police academy to train for a career as a state trooper were delayed a bit following a motorcycle accident in which he broke his ankle. “That delayed him a bit. He was supposed to go in April 2006. It set him back for two years,” she recalled. “It was bad. He was out of work for five months.” By August 2007, they were back on track and he was enrolled in the academy. For six months “he was away every week and came home on the weekends,” she said. In February, Carl was one of the 141 women and men who completed the 195th session of the New York State Police Academy. Along with Carl, also graduating to serve in Troop D from this area are Kelly Caporale, of Ilion, and Ben Barton, of West Winfield. Fellow classmates Tim M. West Jr., of Hartwick, and Shane Long, of Milford, were assigned to Troop C. “This is a lot like the military. It’s like family,” Susan said. After taking a moment to assess the last 17 years she and her husband have been together, she laughed, almost surprised with how perfect life is. “We’ve known each other a long time,” she said. “I can hardly remember that far back.” She recently threw a surprise congratulations party for him, with over 200 people joining in the celebration. “ The kids and I are extremely proud of him for completing his training,” she said. “My husband’s a good man. I just feel so lucky to have him.” The sentiments flow both ways, with his words of similar praise. “I could not do this without the support of my friends and family. I’m especially grateful to my wife and kids for staying by me and supporting me in my career choices.”
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