LBCC instructor by day and Albany police officer by night

Steve Corder guides students and community all in a day’s work

For 27 years Steve Corder has devoted his time to public service and being part of the community in which he lives.

Criminal Justice instructor Corder works at Linn-Benton Community College and has been here since April 1997 as an adjunct instructor. Corder teaches Intro to Law Enforcement, Police Field Operations, and Regulations and Communication.

Corder has a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and a Master of Science in Correctional Administration from Western Oregon State College, now Western Oregon University. A portion of his graduate degree includes a minor in Substance Abuse Prevention from the University of Oregon.

His law enforcement career began in 1980 as a cadet in Douglas County at the Sheriff’s Office. After graduating from Roseburg Senior High School he enlisted in the United States Army as a military policeman and served two years in Europe.

Once Corder finished his military commitment, his family moved to Albany during which time he attended LBCC. Corder was selected as a reserve deputy for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office while attending classes at LBCC. He also worked as a marine deputy during the summers while attending college.

He transferred to Western Oregon State College where he majored in Law Enforcement and minored in Military Science. At the same time, he enrolled in the United States Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program. Corder graduated from Western Oregon State College December 1988 at which time he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.  

Corder was a part-time hire as a Linn County Deputy Sheriff until he went on active duty as an Army Officer. He served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army while stationed in Germany. After wife Susan Corder had their first daughter, they returned to Oregon, and he pursued law enforcement.

Albany Police Department welcomed Corder in May 1993. He has served as: Police Officer, Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Special Services Captain, and Deputy Chief of Police.

“I have always considered criminal investigation and patrol to be the best duties in any police department and am truly grateful that I had the means and opportunity to return to that position,” said Corder.

In October 2005 Corder voluntarily demoted himself to a police officer and returned to case work.

Being an instructor has never been about the money, expressed Corder.

“I would [work at LBCC] for free. I don’t do it for the money,” said Corder. “They could stop paying me tomorrow and I would still work there.”

Working with faculty that have a similar want to help others has made working at LBCC a difference in Corder’s experience.

The ability to work with students, help them become excited in criminal justice and work through the college process is just a sense of accomplishment to Corder.

Many have inspired Corder to be a distinguished law enforcement professional and instructor. From the first ride-along 35 years ago with Deputy Marty Baldwin, to the late Jerry Phillips formerly of LBCC, many have mentored Corder. These individuals have helped make an impact on his life in a positive way to benefit the community in which he services today.

“I enjoyed [Steve’s] stories more than anything,” said previous student Jessie Easdale. “It’s what I want to do, so hearing stories about what it’s like in the field are very intriguing to me.”

Corder believes in explaining the career to students from his experience, so that they can make a more informed decision regarding the police field. He allows students to ask questions. At the beginning of the term he tells students who he is, what he does and that there is no “off the record” in the classroom.

During Corder’s career he’s had experiences leave him with all kinds of memories. He remembers handwriting reports, bizarre calls and all the people he’s had the chance to work with.

“It is the greatest job there really is,” said Corder.

Corder described being a police officer as being phenomenally different than teaching. He highly enjoys the randomness it provides each shift. All the variety from the bizarre calls and weird runs and how the job changes from one minute to the next is the best part about the job.

Criminal Justice department chair Rodney Carter feels Corder is a tremendous asset to the college.

“Steve is an exceptional teacher. His academic credentials combined with his long experience as a police officer and criminal justice administrator make him a tremendous asset to the college. In the classroom, he is both tough and caring: Essential attributes of a successful teacher and police officer,” said Carter.