Randall Diehl is looking forward to a good hunting season.

And hopefully, he will be able to take full advantage of it now that he has retired from the State College Police Department after 29 years of service.

Diehl's colleagues said his contributions to the force are many; however, his revamping of the department's firearm program has impacted the State College police the most.

The 50-year-old Warriors Mark, Pa. native was the senior firearm instructor for 27 years and emphasized interactive and realistic training on the field, Lt. Tom Hart said. Hart said Diehl was one of the pillars of field training, keeping the department up-to-date by pushing for the newest training methods.

"This department trains more than most," Diehl said. "I think that has solved a lot of problems."

Diehl's experience with firearms came mostly from his service in the army, where his love for firearms grew from his battle experience in Vietnam.

"It was like leaving the Earth and going to the moon," explained Diehl about Vietnam.

After Vietnam, Diehl continued his military work at West Point, N.Y., and Fort Bragg, N.C., where he field trained the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

During the years that Diehl trained the State College police, colleagues noticed his patience and willingness to assist in any capacity he could.

"I always liked helping people, but I like the excitement too," Diehl said.

Hart said Diehl treated rookies with kind understanding that contradicted the resilient policy of respecting the rookie only after he or she proved he or she deserved it.

"They weren't treated like a subordinate or rookie . . . but were treated like a fellow officer," Hart said. "He was what you wanted everyone else to be."

Diehl said he has encountered various high-tension situations throughout his career that required the skills he taught in the field.

One such incident involves a domestic dispute in which Diehl had to search the vehicle of a State College man.

"He reached under his leg with a pistol and brought it around . . . I drew my gun and shoved it in his ear," Diehl said.

He said this was one of the few incidents where he felt his life to be in jeopardy. The feeling, however, didn't last long.

"Right after, Bill and I went to grab some coffee," he said, referring to Det. Bill Wagner.

Diehl was also the first officer on the scene during the summer riots 1998, when Diehl was pummeled by debris from apartment balconies.

And although Diehl is leaving the State College Police Department, he fully intends to visit the department to play cards or to say hello to some old friends.

"One of the best things that has ever happened to me is joining the department," Diehl said.