Murfreesboro Police Department Sgt. Brad Ballard retires after 30 years of dedicated service, according to a press release from MPD. 

"The men and women of the department are not only best friends, they are family," Ballard said. "The best thing I did in life, other than becoming a parent, was becoming a mentor to the officers on the midnight shift."

Ballard began his career as a patrol officer in April 1990, serving in that role for eight years. 

He became a detective in 1998 and continued until 2005, before being promoted to a Training Sergeant. 

Ballard also served as a member of the Special Operation Unit (SOU) and was a certified firearms instructor.

He became a Patrol Sergeant in 2009, a position he held until his retirement. 

A retirement ceremony honoring Ballard was held Friday, Oct. 23, at the Murfreesboro Police Headquarters. Family, friends, and co-workers attended.