After 23 years with Vicksburg Police Department, Capt. Bobby Stewart knows well that at the end of the day, when the badge and gun are set aside, the duty to protect and serve the public is not over.

While coaching his son’s YMCA football team Tuesday evening in Redwood, Stewart spotted a prime suspect in a brazen robbery and kidnapping of a 76-year-old man Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a Vicksburg hotel and casino.

Though Stewart wasn’t at work, he was still on duty. A good officer always is.

The suspect was across the street from the practice, and rather than abandon his duty as a coach and moreso as a father, Stewart, who is the head of investigations at VPD, called Warren County deputies to track and arrest the suspect.

It’s difficult enough to keep track of a team of 10- and 11-year-old boys, let alone maintain enough focus to recognize someone across the street.

Stewart’s watchful eye led to a speedy arrest of all three suspects accused of the heinous attack, and we are grateful for his dedication to keeping the community safe.

We also hope his diligence in fighting crime makes criminals think twice about their actions. With hundreds of policemen, deputies, jailers, state troopers and undercover agents who live and work in Warren County, it is nearly impossible to be out of their sight, even when they aren’t in uniform.

Good work.