Someone once said, “The purity of a person’s heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals.”

And regard for animals is something that Troy Animal Control Officer Ken Andress has been tasked with for the past 10 and a half years for the city of Troy. He joined the department in 1992.

Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage credited Andress as being a hard worker, good employee and good police officer.

“ He was really great to work with. It’s hard to sum up what Ken is,”Everage said.

“He is about character and values.”

Pike Animal Shelter Founders Chair Donna Schubert said Andress has the highest character.

“He see’s animals as God’s creatures, which is what we all do,”Schubert said.

Andress was honored by the Pike Animal Shelter as grand marshall of the Fur Fest last weekend.

“He is our rock. He has a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom in working with animals,”Schubert said.

“He inspires all of us.”

Humane Society of Pike County President Debbie Loyd agreed.

“He’s such a wonderful man,”Loyd said. “He really truly has a heart for animals.”

Working at the shelter is something Andress said he’s enjoyed.

“ My favorite part was finding an animal and taking it in, and then finding it a good home so it can be taken care of,” Andress said.

“And being sure the animals were taken care of while they were with us.”

Still, Andress said it wasn’t all good times.

“The hardest part was when we didn’t find a home for them and they had to be put down,”Andress said.

Andress officially retired Friday after 17 years with the police department.

Andress said he serving the community is a police officer’s job.

“The friends I’ve made over the years and helping the community is what I’ll miss the most,”Andress said. “That’s what a police officer is for. I’ve really enjoyed working with the police department and the city of Troy.”

Andress said the city of Troy has a great police chief, mayor and council.

“We’re going to miss him. People like him you don’t replace,”Everage said. “He will be missed by the public and department.”

Andress said he plans to help his wife with her new daycare and continue helping a friend in his chicken houses.