RILEY COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) -- Riley County has dedicated its Law Enforcement Center to a man who has served the local community for nearly 50 years.

Alvan D. Johnson, was honored during a ceremony Friday, December 7, 2012 for his involvement in local government and for the decades he spent on the police force. The Riley County Law Enforcement Center is now officially the Alvan D. Johnson Law Enforcement Center. It houses the county jail and police department.

Johnson became a police officer for the Manhattan Police Department on February 1, 1966 after serving in the United State Army. In 1969, he was promoted to sergeant and in 1971 to lieutenant. In August of 1978, he became the second director of the Riley County Police Department. He was instrumental in defining the need for a Law Enforcement Center and upon approval by the citizens of Riley County; he led a team to design an efficient and effective facility.

Under his leadership, the Riley County Police Department became the first nationally accredited law enforcement agency in the state of Kansas.

Johnson retired from the Riley County Police Department on January 1, 2000 after nearly 34 years of service. He continued his service to Riley County by serving as a county commissioner from 2001 to 2013.

His third and final term of office expires in January.