After 26 years of service, Arizona police officer gets emotional final radio sign-off

Hope Schreiber
·Writer
An Arizona police officer radioed into dispatch to sign off after 26 years of service. (Photo: Facebook)
An Arizona police officer radioed into dispatch to sign off after 26 years of service. (Photo: Facebook)

After dedicating 26 years of service to the Winslow Police Department in Arizona, a police officer was moved to tears by his final radio sign-off, which featured some significant people in his life, according to Arizona Family.

Sgt. Afton Foster sat in his squad car, with his wife Lisa by his side, for the final time on Friday. After finishing his shift, he radioed into dispatch to inform them he would be "10-7 and 98," code for "out of service" and "assignment completed."

"It's been my pleasure," Foster said as he held back tears.

The dispatcher congratulated Foster on his retirement and thanked him for his service. Then, surprising Foster, his three sons replied to his radio call. The emotional moment was captured on video and shared on the Winslow Police Department's Facebook page.

"Hi dad," one son said. "You taught me what it means to be selfless, [and] what it means to be empathetic to others. You love people without question and you love people without judgment, and it shows in the person that you are and it always showed in the officer you had been. You still are and you're always going to be my hero, Dad."

Another son said: "Thank you for your years of remarkable service. "And for making me the man I am today."

Foster, who was at a loss for words, responded, "Thank you... and that's it."

The video and photos of Foster surrounded by his family shared on the department's Facebook page have resulted in multiple well wishes from members of the community and beyond.

"What a wonderful family, Officer, Dad, friend, mentor, counselor, human being. He will be greatly missed. Love ya brother," one person shared.

Another wrote: "You will be a hard act to follow at the WPD. Your many years of service have certainly left your mark on Winslow, in a good way. Happy retirement!"

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