I'm Done!

[one bullet]

With work that is. After 30 years in law enforcement I am now a retiree. I can't believe it. I'm 53. I'm sad and never thought that would be the case. After the final two weeks of emails, handshakes, tears, and good-bye's it's finally here. I guess it's good for people to tell you what they think of you, especially if it's good. I will remember to do more of that myself. I'm sure the happiness of a completed career will start to arrive soon. I look forward to it.

 

[GunnyGene]

With work that is. After 30 years in law enforcement I am now a retiree. I can't believe it. I'm 53. I'm sad and never thought that would be the case. After the final two weeks of emails, handshakes, tears, and good-bye's it's finally here. I guess it's good for people to tell you what they think of you, especially if it's good. I will remember to do more of that myself. I'm sure the happiness of a completed career will start to arrive soon. I look forward to it.

Congrats! I retired at 55. Best decision I ever made. Got any plans for the rest of your life?

 

[one bullet]

Decompress through the fall. Then see where I stand. I'm actually hoping to sell my current place and move to the mountains of NC. For now, riding my motorcycle, yard work, hiking, and a little shooting. Brand new indoor firing range just opened up a few miles from the house. $10 all day for cops, retired or not! I also promised my little buddy I would be hanging with him more. He's a 10 pound Chihuahua!

 

[45Colt_Man]

Well now you've done it.
I was put out to pasture in 2006 at the age of 57. Had more time to do things when I worked full time. Wife always has a project of some kind for me. :lol:

Good luck and have fun.

Dana

 

[Pat-inCO]

(To the sound of an Elmer Fudd voice)
Just be vewwy ca-fu.
(end Elmer)
Or you will find yourself with far more to do than you had while you were
working. If you don't, you will find yourself doing ten times as much as
you thought you could, and not getting paid for it. ( :roll: )

I also got out at 53 and then found myself doing 45 to 50 hours a week on
volunteer projects. The one good thing about that is that you are so busy,
you don't have time to miss any of your previous career. Then . . . once you
get tired of that, you will find what you really want to do as a retiree.

Finally, the fun will start.

Most important part is STAY BUSY!
The company I retired from lost almost 50% of its retirees, in the first six
months after they got out. Those that stayed busy have lasted decades.
In fact, that's the challenge, see how much pension you can draw. :shock: .

May it be many decades worth. 8)

 

[Pistolero]

Congrats! Retirement is great, everyday is a holiday and every meal a feast.

 

[BucolicBuffalo]

I been retired just over a year. Jumped out at 57. I am way more busy now that I ever was when I was working. I also gained 50 some hours a week to spend money. Enjoy it!

 

[Ethang]

Congrats. 30 is a long time for this job.

 

[cruzerlou]

Congrats on your retirement. Another good guy made it through his tour of duty.
Thank you for your years of service from one old L.E.O. to another.
BTW, I'm 53 too, 54's sneekin up fast!!!
Keep on keepin on,
Your Friend,
Lou

 

[Mickey D]

I too retired recently, Dec 2013 at 56. Best thing I ever did besides create my children.
Moved to a free State two months ago and life is great.

 

[jeffmb]

Think about getting a part-time job. Keeps you busy. Otherwise you have way too much time to spend money! Work is much more tolerable when you don't HAVE to be there.

 

[Cholo]

Congrats, one bullet! You chose an admirable career and deserve every bit of your pension and a fine retirement. I'm happy for you

 

[sourdough44]

Congratulations, all the best going forward.

 

[Jim Puke]

Congrats on your accomplishment.

I had planned to retire on March 20th...21 days from now...but I have changed my mind. I have 35yrs in my job and will be 55 in 23 days, but I am not really ready to walk away...if I had something else to do, I probably would. I had something planned, but it kind of fell through because the guy decided not to get rid of his business...so, I guess I will continue for a while longer.

At any rate, I hope that you enjoy your well earned respite.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Congratulations and enjoy your time off from work!

 

[one bullet]

Thanks everybody for the encouragement. I had thought of staying longer myself but law enforcement is a young mans game. My time has come and gone. When the state says we will mail you the same money for staying home as we will pay you for showing up it's time to ride off in the sunset. God blessed me with safety for all these years. I entered basic law enforcement training in Charlotte in the fall of 1985. Seems like it was yesterday. I know a lot that didn't make it. I never thought I would either but I did. God's grace I know. Kinda down about leaving my brothers and sisters but I know I did the right thing I was a supervisor and it seems like I'm walking out on my kids. I actually supervised youngsters the age of my daughter. I have no regrets though and it was thought on long and hard. Just waiting on the sad part to end.

 

[contender]

Congrats on your career ending safely! Yes, you will miss portions of the job, but you will find other things to occupy your time & you will enjoy more things.
That said, if you make it near my area, my range will be open for ya!
Plus, you can visit us for the East Coast Gathering!

 

[one bullet]

Thanks Contender. Every get anywhere on the break in we talked about?

 

[FastEd]

Can you give me some help fixing a little ole speeding ticket?

 

[bogus bill]

In my working years retirement looked like it would never come. That was 15 years ago. I had 35 years as a Lockheed aircraft company guard. I think I was there longer than I was old if you figured 40 hours but mostly I averaged 65 hours a week or more. Sometimes 4 months without a day off. When I retired in 2000 everyday I would just get in my truck and start driving not even knowing where I was going! Did that for 6 months. I had retired thinking I would take the summer off and then go to truck driving school and see the country and get paid for it. A pulmonary embolism threw me a curve and I never went back to work. Then I remarried. Then I was given a short time to live if I didnt get my nose cut off due to cancer. Didn't think or plan for that. We make it though. We left southern California and moved to Utah. Now I/we live to ride the trails on our SXS RZR. I even got back into flying.
I will be 74 next month and wife is almost 17 years younger. Our best picture.

 

[Armybrat]

Think about getting a part-time job. Keeps you busy. Otherwise you have way too much time to spend money! Work is much more tolerable when you don't HAVE to be there.

This right here - plus more discretionary money to buy more gun & ammo.

Coming up on 20 years retirement myself, but was a schoolteacher. Sure is nice not having my life regulated by bells ringing all day!

Enjoy you new life - hope it lasts for many decades.

 

[tazbigdog]

CONGRATS!!! Did 14 years as a LEO and I'm on my 3rd career now. Looking to change within 6 months for another.... It's nice not have to carry a gun around with handcuffs when I go food shopping!

 

[one bullet]

The carrying a gun part never bothered me. I always carry with two back up mags. I always thought carrying concealed was a perk. Even before CCW laws were passed.

 

[Cholo]

I never thought of concealed carrying as a perk before it became law. Oops! :mrgreen:

 

[one bullet]

I hear you Cholo. I could just do it and relax! Still can thanks to George Bush.....anywhere in the US of A!

 

[blume357]

Yep, come on over to the mountain side.... hopefully Contender will have another gathering this Fall....

 

[graygun]

I last worked in 2010 at age 61. I have managed to deplete my savings and may tap the 401K account. :shock: :lol:

Be careful for post-work depression tendencies. That's why you hear "keep busy" frequently.

 

[Fox Mike]

Congrats and thanks for doing a job that does not get the credit that it is due. Having retired three times I can just say find a 'hobby' and have a good time. Oh, and throw the alarm clock in the trash.

 

[one bullet]

I last worked in 2010 at age 61. I have managed to deplete my savings and may tap the 401K account. :shock: :lol:

Be careful for post-work depression tendencies. That's why your hear "keep busy" frequently.

I never thought i would get down about it but i have.....a little.

 

[RoninPA]

I put in my retirement papers today. Last day is March 12. My gun shop/gunsmithing business will go to daylight hours beginning in April. Travelling the last few years just got to be too much. Now maybe I can make SHOT, NRA, etc.