New Jersey Officer Retires, But Not Before The Send Off Of A Lifetime

By Cleve Bryan

SALEM, N.J (CBS) – After 28 years on the job Salem City patrol sergeant Douglas Hogate got a transmission from a dispatch that he'll never forget.

At the end of his final patrol on March 24 Hogate called in "code 3," which means going off air for the last time, and the dispatcher who replied was his son.

Doug Hogate Jr. came in on his day off and prepared the following statement to read over the Salem County radio system:

"Salem County, to all local cars and stations, it is with great pleasure to announce that at 18:00 on this date, after 28 years of service my father Salem City Sgt Douglas Hogate Sr. badge number 612 is retiring and giving his final 'code 3'. It is my honor Douglas Hogate Jr. to acknowledge this 'code 3' to the greatest man I know. Salem Sgt Doug Hogate you are officially 'code 3' at 18:00 hours."

Family posted video of the send off taken from Sgt Hogate's patrol car and so far it has received nearly 2 million views, as well as thousands of comments saying congratulations.

"This in itself is better than any gold watch or retirement plaque," says Hogate Sr. "It was a great moment and I was happy to be the one to do it."