What was initially supposed to be a stopgap after leaving a job in the mines turned into a career that spanned more than three decades.
On Monday, that journey ended with family, friends and colleagues forming a guard of honour for Sergeant Troy O'Donoghue as he left Belmont Police Station for the final time and began his retirement.
Sergeant O'Donoghue graduated from the police academy in 1989 - he was in his late 20s and applied to get into the force after he left his job as a surveyor in the mines.
"It was only meant to be a transitional job," he told the Newcastle Herald.
"I just found that I loved it."
First, he was based on the Central Coast where he worked at Wyong and Gosford as a uniformed and plain-clothed officer.
He transferred to the Lake Macquarie command in 1997, where he remained for the rest of his career.
He was promoted to sergeant while at Lake Macquarie and worked at most police stations across the district in the more than two decades he spent there.
But Sergeant O'Donoghue said on Monday he was ready to retire. It was a decision that his wife, daughter and two sons welcomed.
"They think it's a great idea," he said.
"They've seen me sort of getting worn down in recent times, so they're pretty happy with me doing it.
"It's a very tough job and I thought my time was pretty well due and I was in a position where I could do it, so that's why I've retired."
Sergeant O'Donoghue said he would miss his workmates.
"[During] my time in Lake Macquarie, I've had a succession of good bosses," he said.
"The police in Lake Macquarie are very professional and it's just been a pleasure working with them. They're a really good mob of people."
Lake Macquarie police commander Superintendent Danny Sullivan said Sergeant O'Donoghue was an exemplary officer who embodied every positive policing quality.
"He was an outstanding officer, an example to all his colleagues and those in the Lake Macquarie community," he said.
"He put his community first and, for that, Lake Mac will be forever grateful.
"On behalf of the extended police family - and everyone who resides from one side of the lake to the other - thank you Troy."
