Corporal Duane Utt entered the Main Station Wednesday as he did in 1979, wearing the brown vintage police uniform, hat and gun belt from an era long gone by.

His last day on patrol was this week. After 35 years with the Arlington Police Department, Corporal Utt has officially retired.

The uniform he wore today was issued by then Police Chief Herman Perry, who at one time worked for the Department of Public Safety. Like the times, this uniform changed.

Corporal Utt's first day on the job with APD was April 23, 1979 as a front desk officer at a joint Police/Fire Department substation on Little Road. Watching the cows go by, he also saw the population soar and lots of change taking shape. Prior to coming to APD, he spent four years as a patrol officer in Johnson County's King City.

"In 1979, Arlington was the place to be," the 59-year-old said. "It was a growing, progressive city. Why go anyplace else?"

Over the next three decades, Corporal Utt upheld the values of the Arlington Police Department with integrity and honor. Officers describe him as a "cop's cop." "Another said, "by far, he's one of the best training officers the department has ever had."

As officers greeted him this morning, he passed through the hall ways one last time, bidding farewell to all who have come to know him. He said his recreational vehicle is ready for the open road. He and his wife will travel to Arkansas, Maine and New Hampshire in search of greener pastures and cooler weather, he said.

"Being an Arlington police officer has been a great career," he said. "Looking back, I can say it's the best job I've ever had."