Probation officer Marcia Hurd retires today

In her 30 years of service supervising the probations of felons and DUI offenders in Saline County Marsha Hurd said Monday that "way more than half of the probations ended happily."

"People are capable of change. Change is not always fun but growing up is necessary. It makes life easier if we pay attention and stay out of the ditches," Hurd said.

Hurd graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Southern Illinois University and began work in Saline County in 1984.

"It really helps to be able to read people in this job," Hurd said. "It is often what they do not tell you that is important," Hurd said.

"I had all felons until 1997 when I was assigned the DUI cases. In the last three or four years there have not been as many DUI cases so I have had felons added to my caseload again."

Of her cases she said that 80 percent to 90 percent were directly related to drug or alcohol abuse.

She said that those individuals who had been disciplined in their youth had a better chance of reordering their lives than the unfortunates who had little experience with self-discipline.

"Some come from families with many repeat offenders. They have a much tougher time of it. But you can never know all that goes on and what finally motivates change. People surprise you. Sometimes it is the birth of the first child that does it," she said.

Sometimes people learn to prioritize, sacrificing intoxication today for greater joys later.

"When they stay sober, then you know that they are serious about improving their lives. They are learning to postpone what they want right now for something better later on."

Change can be mysterious.

"You don't always know why someone is changing or not changing. I think anything positive comes from God. We are all flawed and need to improve. The ability to change comes from him," she said.

When her retirement begins Wednesday, Hurd said she plans to "put out a garden and clean the house a whole lot better."

"Maybe I will learn to sleep later than 4 a.m. I have to admit I am getting slower with age. I guess I will take a year off and get to know the Internet better," Hurd said.

Hurd said she loves to read.

"Mostly I read religious studies, comedy, music and practical things on how to do things," she said. "I don't like to pay for what I can learn to do myself," she said.

"I have been blessed in so many ways. I will be 64 tomorrow."

Retirement. That is quite a birthday present.