Lt. Mike Loya
Photos provided by Guthrie Police Department
After more than two decades of service to the Guthrie community, Lt. Mike Loya is retiring from the Guthrie Police Department, concluding a law enforcement career marked by leadership, training and mentorship.
Loya joined the Guthrie Police Department in April 2002 after retiring from the U.S. Navy, where he served 20 years and achieved the rank of Senior Chief. During his military career, he was a member of the Navy’s elite Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC), a highly trained special operations force.
During his 24 years with the Guthrie Police Department, Loya advanced through the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant while taking on numerous leadership roles. He was known for his commitment to mentoring officers and developing the department’s training programs.
Loya served on the Logan County Special Response Team for 22 years, including 11 years as team commander. He also served as the department’s day shift patrol commander and was a member of the Police Department Bike Team. In addition to his patrol responsibilities, Loya oversaw the department’s Field Training Officer program, served as training coordinator and use-of-force coordinator, and helped prepare the next generation of law enforcement officers.
His expertise as a defensive tactics instructor earned him recognition across Oklahoma. Over the past two decades, he has instructed recruits and officers through multiple CLEET basic academies, the OSUOKC COPS program, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Enid Police Department, Metro Tech academies and numerous reserve academies throughout the state.
The Guthrie Police Department expressed its appreciation for Loya’s dedication and service, recognizing not only his contributions to law enforcement but also the support of his wife, Kathy.
“From all of us at the Guthrie Police Department, we want to thank Lt. Mike Loya and his wife of 44 years, Kathy, for their service and sacrifice to our country and our community,” the department said.