PHOENIX (AP) - An estimated crowd of 300 people that included Gov. Doug Ducey attended a retirement party for outgoing Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The event was held Saturday night at a Cave Creek restaurant.
The 84-year-old Arpaio served six terms as sheriff in Arizona’s most populous county.
He was defeated in November by retired Phoenix police Sgt. Paul Penzone, who takes over as sheriff next month.
With his wife at his side, Arpaio accepted well wishes from current and former sheriff’s office employees in addition to friends and family.
After 23 years in office, Arpaio says “it was a great ride.”
However, he’s scheduled to face trial in April on a criminal contempt-of-court charge over his continuance of controversial immigration patrols.
Arpaio faces up to six months in jail if convicted.
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