Officer Lee McKinney is back to serve campus with the WKU Police Department a second time after an oath ceremony Wednesday, ending his retirement.

McKinney retired in 2012 from WKU’s police force after working since 1997. McKinney said earlier this year Chief Mitch Walker approached him and asked McKinney if he would be interested in returning to the force. McKinney told Walker he was more than just interested in returning to work.

“I missed it,” McKinney said adding, “Him approaching me confirmed how much I missed it.”

McKinney had been thinking about getting back into law enforcement again before Walker approached him.

“I had been thinking about getting back into it in general, especially here,” McKinney said.

McKinney was sworn back in by President Gary Ransdell on Wednesday in the President’s office. Attending the swearing in was McKinney’s wife, Chief Mitch Walker and Capt. Dominic Ossello.

After the swearing in, McKinney returned to the police station where he put on his official uniform and his wife was able to pin his badge on once again.

“I think he is really excited to be back,” she said.

Walker is also excited to have McKinney back on the force.

“We’re glad he is back, and we’re excited for what he has to offer this campus,” Walker said.

 Reporter Kylie Carlson can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @kentuckylie.