COLUMBUS, Ohio — After 33 years, with the last six months serving as interim police chief, Mike Woods walked out of the Columbus Division of Police headquarters for the last time on Friday.
Staff, officers, friends and family lined police headquarters as Woods put on his Columbus police uniform one final time.
“Going to miss this place, going to miss the people. Can't put it into words right now,” Woods said with tears in his eyes.
The man, who usually has a lot to say, was choked up as he was saluted and honored.
Woods officially retired in April but stayed on until new chief Elaine Bryant was in place.
In his time with the department, he served in the narcotics bureau, played bagpipe for the department’s band, and was the public information officer.
He rose through the ranks to deputy chief and was named interim chief in January when Chief Tom Quinlan was asked to step down.
New police chief Elaine Bryant was at the send-off.
“This, to me, I've never seen anything like it. I think it's a really phenomenal tribute to his career. I'm excited to just be a part of it and watch the men and women of this department honor him as he takes his last walk out of this building as chief,” Bryant said.
Woods and his wife have three daughters who have grown up only knowing their dad wearing a Columbus police badge.
“It's unbelievable, my daughters were born, they grew up in this place. This is all they've known. It's special for them, special for me. Next chapter ready to begin,” Woods said.
Woods may not be retired for long. He is one of four candidates to become the Hilliard Division of Police's next deputy chief before taking over the police chief position within a year.
“It's unbelievable, my daughters were born, they grew up in this place. This is all they've known. It's special for them, special for me. Next chapter ready to begin,” Woods said.