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