Retirement
I decided January of 2023 was when I would go. I was on DROP (deferred retirement option plan) and my 3 years ended then. DROP is amazing: You effectively retire as far as the state is concerned, so they start paying your retirement to you, but into an untouchable account. Meanwhile, you stop making pension payments each paycheck and you continue working for up to 3 years. MO MONEY, MO MONEY, MO MONEY!
I wasn't getting nervous. I wasn't having second thoughts. I was ready. I began the process of turning in all my stuff with about a week left. There is a list of stuff to turn in and it has to be signed by each receiver of property. Radio to the radio shop, ballistic vest and taser and gun to the academy, car to EMD, badge and hat badge (frontice piece) ... on and on. With each thing turned in, I'd get a little more excited.
About 2 to 3 weeks after retirement, a close friend called me to see if I was ok. I said I was, and why was he asking? He had a very different reaction to retirement and became a little - not depressed - but saddened. I was having none of that. I was so touched that he had called, however.
I began a countdown on social media and it became very popular. Especially near the end when I'd use images vs numbers to reflect how many days left I had. I'll put some in a gallery below.
Some of my favorite countdown images.
522
299
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82
66
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55
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24
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1
Last Day
Some of my countdown posts
My girlfriend Julie arranged to have my retirement party at the Elms Mansion. Our great friend Tom owns it and the bargain was impossible to pass up. Lorelei and Jess did SO MUCH for this party, and Julie - my God - what would I do without her, honestly. I get emotional when I think of the lengths she went to for me and my retirement festival.
Literally hundreds of people were invited. The place is enormous and was tented and the lawn was furnished from a wedding which was held there the night before. Another friend in the event business, Valerie, helped a LOT with this part.
Every friend I ever had was there, and still a hundred more couldn't make it. City Council Members, so many police, Bourbon Street friends, Krav Maga friends, family - my mom and my daughter. I had maybe 45 seconds with each person.
Julie bought these hysterical go-cups with handcuffs on them and the caption, "Handcuffs are just for fun now!" She also commissioned my friend and co-worker Charlie Hoffacker to create the most amazing piece of art anyone has ever bestowed upon me. A portrait of Gene Simmons from KISS made of bullet casings. She spent tons on it - and it weighs tons. Tom (of the Elms) to the rescue again in helping me mount it at my house.
Julie also bought this insanely huge cake with me and Sylvester on it. She really went ALL OUT. I'll never be able to thank her enough for her thoughtfulness.
Click image to open.