ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD Sgt. Jerry Hartsfield first stepped onto the campus of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ 35 years ago as a criminal justice student.

This month, he retires with an honorary promotion of lieutenant following 30 years of service with ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD.

Hartsfield, known for being a man of few words, had a simple message for colleagues who this week attended a reception in his honor.

β€œI was fortunate to be here all these years, and I hope that those of you who are in the same situation here, 30 years from now, will get the opportunity to retire from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½.”

Former ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD Maj. Randy Mingo, who retired earlier this year, returned to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD to support his friend and share stories about β€œthe good old days,” when campus was still rural and when there were much less students and police officers.

β€œWe’ve had some really great times, and I hope they don’t end,” Mingo said to Hartsfield. β€œRetirement’s really great. You’re going to embrace it, and it’s been my pleasure to work with you.”

When Hartsfield was first sworn in at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD in 1986, Ronald Reagan was president and gas cost $.89 a gallon, Chief Richard Beary said, acknowledging how much ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and the world have changed since Hartsfield started as an officer.

β€œJerry, you’ve got a lot of good friends here, you’ve been through a lot here, and you’ve survived all of it,” Beary said. β€œA heartfelt congratulations.”

Hartsfield plans on enjoying his retirement by spending time on his fishing boat and going trap shooting with his friends and ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½PD colleagues.

β€œI always said retirement’s going to be different,” said Hartsfield. β€œDoesn’t mean it’s going to be bad, but it’s certainly going to be different.”