TPD Assistant Chief Retiring As County's Longest-Serving Officer

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — The county's longest-serving law enforcement officer will soon hang up his uniform for good after dedicating his entire career to public service.

The Tuscaloosa Police Department on Friday announced the upcoming retirement of Assistant Chief Ronnie Dunn after 36 years with the department — a stretch of time that is longer than any other officer serving in Tuscaloosa County's numerous law enforcement agencies.

Dunn's last day is set for Sept. 3, but a retirement party was held Friday to commemorate the 64-year-old officer's service.

"Chief Dunn’s loyalty to the department and the Tuscaloosa community is something that will be missed," TPD Chief Brent Blankley told Patch. "His more than 35 years of experience as a law enforcement officer is not something we can easily replace. We wish him the best in his retirement."

Blankley and TPD praised Dunn's career and achievements representing the department, saying the longtime officer was instrumental through good times and bad, all while shining as an "outstanding example for the hundreds of officers who have served over nearly four decades."

The department said in his most recent role, Dunn was tasked with carefully reviewing recruit qualifications and performance assessments, in addition to building and maintaining the force.

After working patrol for two years when his career at the department began, Dunn moved to the Traffic Enforcement division in 1986 and then on to the Training Division in 1990. TPD said he would go on to become a sergeant in the TPD Criminal Investigations Division in 1993 and a lieutenant over the evening shift in 1995.

In 1997, he transferred to TPD's Internal Affairs division and achieved the rank of captain in 1998.

Dunn was then promoted to assistant chief on April 19, 2003.