A retiring police officer in Southbridge, Massachusetts, was met with a big surprise during his final day on the job Monday.
Southbridge Police Department Chief Shane Woodson radioed Officer Duane Ledoux, who spent more than 30 years on the force, as he drove his police cruiser during his last shift. He congratulated Ledoux for his decades of service, WHDH-TV reported.
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“Southbridge Police Department and the town of Southbridge want to thank you for your dedicated service to the law enforcement profession,” Woodson said. “Wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Congrats, brother.”
Ledoux, emotional from his police chief’s message, thanked his fellow officers and shared a special message for his sons: “Time to go home.”
Seconds later, one of Ledoux’s sons, Nate, who traveled to Southbridge to celebrate his father’s retirement, came over the radio:
It is my sincere pleasure to announce that as of 11:13 hours on this day, after 32-and-a-half years of service, my father, Southbridge police officer Duane Ledoux, is retiring and has given his final Code 5.
It is my honor to acknowledge his Code 5, to set free a man who has sacrificed so much of his time for all of us, so that he may spend the rest of his life discovering new craft beer, exploring this beautiful country, and most important of all, chasing glory.
Officer Ledoux, badge No. 1041, dad, you are officially Code 5.
The retiring officer, tearing up, uttered only two words in response. “Love you,” he said over the police radio.
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“I called that,” Ledoux said, meaning he had a feeling his son might show up for his last day.