Video showing a New Jersey police sergeant ending his 28-year career with an emotional sign-off call is going viral.
Douglas Hogate Sr., from the Salem City Police Department, calls in his final Code 3 to the Salem County Dispatch Center on Mar. 24 in touching footage posted online.
His son Douglas Hogate Jr., a dispatcher for nine years, is on the other end of the line. And he replies with a heartfelt message that almost reduces his 50-year-old father in tears.
"It is a great pleasure to announce that after 1800 hours on this date, after 28 years of service, my father, Salem City Police Sgt. Douglas Hogate Sr., badge No. 612, is retiring and giving his final Code 3," Hogate Jr. says. "It is my honor [...] to acknowledge this Code 3 to the greatest man I know."
Hogate Sr.'s daughter Jenna Keen filmed the footage and Salem County 911 Center posted the video to Facebook on Mar. 25. It's gotten more than 1.3 million views.
"My dad did one final ride through Salem and it was cool because it was like just us kids again," Keen told NJ.com. "We grew up at the police station and he's been an officer all of our lives. It was an emotional time."
Hogate Sr. said he would remain involved with the department "behind the scenes" because it will always "feel like home." "It's just odd right now that I'm not going to wear a uniform anymore or be on patrol. I'll still listen to what goes on."
