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Retiring Officer Overcome with Emotion When He Hears Cop Son's Voice During Final Radio Call

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An Arkansas law enforcement family was overcome with emotion as Highway Patrol Corporal Roy Martin retired from the force after 31 years of service.

With retirement comes a wide range of emotions, a bittersweet moment of saying goodbye to an era and welcoming something new.

On Feb. 5, Martin said goodbye to 31 years of a career in law enforcement.

His son, Arkansas State Police Cpl. Billy Martin, felt the emotion of the day, too.

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Both knew that Roy Martin’s final shift was ending and that soon, the elder Martin would make the final radio call of his career.

As Roy Martin picked up the radio to give his final “10-7”  – code for “out of service” – and “10-42” – code for “ending tour of duty” – he had no idea that his son Billy would be the voice to respond.

Arkansas State Police posted a video of the emotional sendoff, which left the elder Martin wiping away tears and scarcely able to speak.

“Attention all units,” the younger Martin said, to his father’s complete surprise.

“It is a great pleasure to announce, after 31 years of dedicated service, my dad, Cpl. Roy Martin, of the Arkansas Highway Police, Badge No. 420, is retiring and given his final 10-7.”

“It is my honor, Cpl. Roy Martin, to acknowledge your 10-7, to the greatest man I know,” Billy Martin continued.

“Myself, Kim and Amy are proud of you. We love you, dad.”

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Hearing his son’s voice on the radio was an emotional moment for Martin, who wiped a quick tear from his eyes.

“Y’all be careful out there,” he managed to say as his colleagues looked on with supportive smiles.

Arkansas State Police explained what it meant to have multiple family members in the same line of duty.

“If you come from a law enforcement family, you always have an understanding of the bond it brings,” the department wrote on Facebook. “If you don’t here is your proof.”

“The Arkansas State Police wishes Arkansas Highway Police Corporal Roy Martin a wonderful retirement, and we thank you for your service to the state of Arkansas!” the department concluded.

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A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Kim Davis has been writing for The Western Journal since 2015, focusing on lifestyle stories.
Kim Davis began writing for The Western Journal in 2015. Her primary topics cover family, faith, and women. She has experience as a copy editor for the online publication Thoughtful Women. Kim worked as an arts administrator for The Phoenix Symphony, writing music education curriculum and leading community engagement programs throughout the region. She holds a degree in music education from Grand Canyon University with a minor in eating tacos.
Birthplace
Page, Arizona
Education
Bachelor of Science in Music Education
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Lifestyle & Human Interest




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