GARY, Ind. (AP) - A police officer in northwest Indiana got emotional as he prepared to leave the force in a video he posted on Facebook that’s has been getting attention.
Jeston Walker, 37, had his last day at the Gary Police Department on Feb. 28, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.
Walker is seen tearing up on the video during his final radio call as officers wish him well and encourage him to “respect all, fear none,” WBBM-TV reported. The video has been viewed about 67,000 times as of Monday afternoon.
Walker said the love he felt was “overwhelming.”
“Thank you, all my brothers and sisters,” Walker said in the video as he signs off for the final time. “I appreciate all the times I spent with y’all. Continue to stay safe.”
Walker said he planned to keep the recording as a personal memory, but shared it on Facebook following his wife’s encouragement.
“That’s not typical of a last shift. It’s usually like that if you retire,” Walker said. “It was shocking. That’s why I was so touched. That’s how you realize you made an impact on the community and the department.”
Walker started in the department in 2011 and has been a patrolman, SWAT operator, field training officer and honor guard. He said he grew up in one of the toughest areas of the city and decided to join the police force to “make a difference.”
Walker now plans to start a business with his family.
“The main thing I am going to miss is the people,” Walker said. “I won’t miss all of the things I’ve seen, but I’ll miss my brothers and sisters. We’re more than coworkers or friends, we are family.”
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