FARMINGTON – Cpl. Nate Bean started riding with police in Rangeley when he was in high school. He knew what he wanted to do long before he went to college to study criminal justice.

And now, Bean, 33, of Chesterville has been named Deputy of the Year by his peers in the Franklin County Deputy Association for his “outstanding work,” President Tom White said.

Bean started on the Rangeley Police Department, worked in Jay and Livermore Falls for a bit, and became a full-time deputy in December 1998. He had worked as a reserve deputy before that.

Bean took a German shepherd police dog, Ben, as a partner in 2001. He convinced officials to restart the canine program after it had been defunct for 10 years.

Bean and 6-year-old Ben have been a team ever since.

“They’ve been an invaluable tool,” White said. “They’re available 24 hours a day.”

Nate and Ben average 40 to 60 tracks a year.

The corporal said he doesn’t mind being called in late at night or early morning because he gets to be involved in some of the hottest cases.

In December, Bean and Ben had three tracks within several hours after two suspects in custody decided to escape from two different cruisers.

The effort was successful.

They got their suspects.

Bean said he likes helping people improve their lives in Franklin County.

He especially likes it when his effort impacts families with children.

But Bean and Ben don’t just help people in this county, they help wherever they’re needed.

Being selected by his peers as top deputy is the best feeling, Bean said.

When people you work with tell you that you did an “outstanding job” this year, it’s an awesome feeling and definitely helps your morale, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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