A Retirement Reflection

Marcus Aurelius urged us to perform each action as if it were our last. In recent years I have tried to live by this philosophy. There have been a number of slip-ups along the way especially over the course of my 26 years here, but for the most part I have managed to work honorably in an honorable profession.

If I were to look back on my career as if it were a tapestry, the threads would not represent the roles I’ve had along the way. Instead I look out upon the faces of many a man in many a different unit who contributed to the success of my career and THEY make up the threads, the substance of this career. Every role I've had in every unit may be represented by a different shade, a different color, but the fabric of my career has been made by the men who came before me and the men I leave behind. By all of you.

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers." Together, we have faced the tempests and tribulations inherent in this line of work, and it is this unbreakable bond, this brotherhood in arms, that has been the bedrock of my career.

To those brave officers who continue to wear the badge and uniform, who stand on the front lines, who continue to be that thin blue line: You are the custodians of a noble legacy, the warriors and guardians standing on the front lines of our communities. Your path is not an easy one, full of challenges and dangers both seen and unseen, but it remains a path of honor, of valor, a path that demands the best of you. Every. Single. Day.

I extend my deepest gratitude to those who have guided and shaped me along this journey. Your wisdom, your support, and your unwavering belief in me have helped me grow and become the man I am today. To my mentors, colleagues, and friends, you have been my compass in stormy seas, my confidants in times of doubt, and my biggest cheerleaders in moments of triumph.

To my family, my foundation, thank you for your endless patience, your sacrifices, and your unconditional love. Especially my wife. Sarah, you have been my sanctuary, a haven of peace and normalcy these last several years. A man needs a purpose, and in you I have found mine. You are that safe harbor in whatever storm may assail me.

As I bid farewell to this chapter of my life, I am reminded of another Stoic thought, that of embracing each moment with gratitude and mindfulness. Let us not dwell on the sorrows of parting, but rather celebrate the journey we've shared and the legacy we continue to build. I will always embrace the nostalgia that goes along with this fulfilling career. But there is no sadness, no regret, no lingering disappointment nor remorse. It does no man any good to look upon his current situation and waste present thoughts on any potential thing that might have been.

I carry not just memories, but lessons learned, friendships forged, and a heart filled with pride for having served alongside the finest men and women in law enforcement. As I embark on this new chapter, I do so with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that the badge and uniform are in capable hands.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the privilege of serving with you, for the honor of being part of this incredible family. May you continue to serve with integrity, courage, and compassion. May you always find strength in each other, and may you carry on the legacy of those who came before you, just as I hope I have carried on that of those who came before me.

Godspeed, and stay safe.

Wayne