It’s practically a tradition that retiring patrol officers would give one last radio call at the end of their shift on their retirement day.
The dispatcher will then acknowledge the call and perhaps say a few words for the retiring officer.
But for one retiring Massachusetts police officer, instead of dispatch answering his last radio call, he was surprised to hear the voice of his son instead.
Officer Duane Ledoux had spent thirty-two-and-a-half years of his with the Southbridge Police Department. But his retirement day of June 25 was already upon him so he made his final radio call.
Unknown to him, his son Nate had flown across the country just to acknowledge him on this very significant day.
“It is my sincere pleasure to announce that on this day, after 32.5 years of service, my father, Southbridge Police Officer Duane Ledoux, is retiring and has given his final code five,’ Nate announced on the radio.
He continued: “It is my honor to acknowledge this code five, 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 importantly, chasing glory.
“Dad, you are officially code five.”
A heartwarming video shows the elder Ledoux fighting back tears as he replied, “Love you.”
Shaking his head and tapping the radio on his forehead, the policeman said while laughing, “He did come home. He came home. I called that.”
Another video on Facebook Live features Nate smiling as he gives his dad his final send-off.
Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson also heaped praises on Ledoux and thanked him for his service.
“After more than 31 years of service to the town of Southbridge, Officer Duane Ledoux badge 1041 is retiring and giving his final code five,” Woodson said over the radio.
“I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Congratulations brother.”
It was a touching moment for Ledoux and it even meant more that Nate had shown up especially since he had lost another son, Nick, several years ago to a car accident.
“Too much to say, but thank you. To everyone in my family, everyone I’ve served with, and to my boys. Time to go home. Thank you,” he tearfully replied.