Sid Fuller retired today.

   We had a reception and everyone had cake and Sid was presented with some lovely parting gifts. But, it would be wildly inappropriate to let this day pass without at least a glance at the impact Sid Fuller had on Farmers Branch during his 10 years and 10 days as its Chief of Police.

  After 23 years in law enforcement in Irving, Sid came to us in the steamy summer of 2006 and immediately promoted an atmosphere of quiet command at the Justice Center. 

   Never comfortable in the limelight, Chief Fuller usually let his people shine when it came to advancing community policing initiatives, implementing crime reduction strategies in apartment complexes and dropping the crime rate in this City to record lows.

   However, make no mistake about it, all of those things, and so much more, are directly attributable to his leadership.

   Sid Fuller is one of the good guys and Farmers Branch is a much better place because he spent a decade here. His tenacity to see things through shone brightly in times of controversy as well as calm. He may have started here six years after the millennium but he clearly brought his department into the 21st century. And, as a result, the Farmers Branch Police Department is nicely positioned for a seamless transition of leadership.

   More on that later.

   Today is a day to celebrate a consummate law enforcement professional, tireless advocate for this community and, to many of us fortunate enough to have known him well, a good friend.

   Sid says he plans to spend retirement at the lake, teaching part-time and engaging in an "extensive bucket list." It's well deserved.

   And, from a grateful community, Chief Fuller, please take our gratitude and very best wishes with you.