Emotions can run high at the conclusions of the seasons of life. We all face them. Some conclusions come by choice and some by time. Thankfully, some of these farewells are done gracefully and beautifully. For Officer Brian Berrigan, it was one of the good ones.

Serving the community for 25 years, Officer Berrigan went into work for his last time.

Officer Berrigan had served on the Phillipsburg Police Department for 25 years and had officially announced his retirement. With such a tenure, he had seen the community change, faced the good and the bad, and had seen people come and go. One of the more meaningful moments of his life was being able to serve alongside his son, Dean, for six months.

After working his last shift, Officer Berrigan was not ready for what was to come next.

The dispatcher is the one who gives the on-duty officers permission to clock out and head home for the day. They call a badge number and give the send-off call. While waiting for the send-off in the car with his partner, Officer Berrigan heard the staticky voice come over the radio – and it brought him to tears.

Hearing the sound of his own son as the dispatcher was too much for the cop and father to handle.

His son was to be the one to send him off. A changing of the guard in a quite literal sense.

“Twenty-five years ago, you held me in your arms as you graduated from the police academy. Today, we stand side by side as brothers. Today, you receive many thanks. The department thanks you. The people whose lives you have protected and served thank you. And I thank you for being the best role model a son could ask for.”

Overcome with emotion, Officer Berrigan started to show his fatherly side.

Breathing heavily and trying to get a grip on his emotions, he was reminded of the lives and people that he had the opportunity to change.

“You are not only my father but you have been my career mentor. It was an honor to serve by your side for the last six months wearing the same uniform. As a fellow officer, I salute you. As your son, I’m going to miss you here. We are all going to miss you.”

While many feel retirement is the end of their life, it can often be the beginning of a new season.

Wanting to remind his dad of this, the younger Officer Berrigan said:

“Retirement doesn’t mean you’re gone. You will always have your Phillipsburg police family. Officer Berrigan, badge number 299, Dad, at 16:37 hours, you have safely reached the finish line. For a final time, go ahead and show yourself clear and off duty.”

With tears starting to roll down his eyes, he listens to his son tell the value that he added to the community and the pride that he has in his father.

After the final words were spoken, his son concludes the conversation with this father and sends him well and fully off-duty. The teary-faced officer responds with an “I love you” and a “That was brutal”.

Officer Berrigan’s partner looks at him and says “Well…you wanna go get a drink?”

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Source: Spotlight Stories, lehighvalleylive