Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone, center, Deputy Chief James Rodriguez, center, left, police command staff, officers, and other personnel gathered Thursday at Fuller Lodge to honor Cmdr. Preston Ballew, back row center, as he retires from a 26-year career in law enforcement. Many officials, including County Manager Anne Laurent, along with family members and friends, filled Fuller Lodge to celebrate with Cmdr. Ballew on his final day on the job. Cmdr. Ballew said he has a couple of hunting and fishing trips scheduled, adding that he and his wife Marisha love Los Alamos and intend to remain living here. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone, left, presents Cmdr. Preston Ballew with a special Nambé plaque engraved with the inscription ‘Los Alamos County expresses their appreciation for your dedicated and faithful service to its citizens.’ as his wife Marisha looks on in the foreground during his retirement event Thursday in Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Deputy Chief James Rodriguez presents Cmdr. Preston Ballew with a Medal of Merit for his nearly three decades of service and a deputy chief badge, in keeping with the tradition of honoring an officer on his last day on the job with one rank higher. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Cmdr. Chris Ross honors Cmdr. Preston Ballew with an award recognizing his longtime leadership on the LAPD Bomb Squad. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Retired LAPD Police Capt. Marla Brooks presents Cmdr. Preston Ballew with a special flag at his retirement event Thursday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Good-natured joking was an enjoyable part of the retirement event for Cmdr. Preston Ballew, right, shown here spinning a yarn with Chief Dino Sgambellone on Thursday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Sgt. Brent Hudspeth recounts a funny story about the manly boots Cmdr. Preston Ballew was wearing on the first day they met. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from the retirement event for Cmdr. Preston Ballew on Thursday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Cmdr. Preston Ballew with wife Marisha and sons Bryson, left, and Jayden at his retirement event Thursday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Police Cmdr. Preston Ballew, center, with his wife to his right, and his mother to his left, and many other members of his family, gathered Thursday in Fuller Lodge to celebrate his retirement following 26 years of service in law enforcement.