The Ripon Police Department announced the retirement of Sgt. Stephen Meece effective Saturday.

He’s been with the department since 2006, having held several sworn-officer job designations within the local police force during his 17 years of service to the community.

“His greatest impact was being a Patrol Supervisor for the last nine years – in 2007, he became the department’s first motor officer,” said the Ripon Police Department in Wednesday’s social media post.

Meece had a 24-year career in law enforcement.

He got his start with the California Department of Corrections in 2002. Three years later, he transitioned to a Ranger with the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Prior to that, Meece served in the Navy, both active duty and reserves, from 1991 to 2002.

He participated in Operation Desert Stay in Kuwait and saw action in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1995 – Meece was part of United Shield’s Search and Rescue Operations in support of the United Nations troop withdrawal.

Ripon police, in the post, also thanked him for his service to “our country, contributions to our department, the impact he has had our community, and his influences in the growth and development of our young staff.”