WVIR – CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va (WVIR) - Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo is turning in his badge.
Longo made the announcement during a press conference Monday morning.
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"I've decided to...35 years is a long time to do this work. Fifteen of those years I'm proud to say were served here in this community with, I hope you know, to be some of the finest police officers to serve this nation," he said.
Chief Longo told his officers of his decision during a series of meetings at the Charlottesville Police Department earlier in the morning.
Longo says he has been contemplating retirement for about a year. He says the last year has been the toughest of his entire career with several highly-publicized investigations, including the murder of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham.
Charlottesville hired Longo in 2001 following nearly 20 years with the Baltimore, Maryland police force.
"It'll be easy for me to step out of this uniform and have no regrets," said Longo.
"I feel deeply grateful for his service to this city, navigating us through some pretty difficult times especially in the last two years," said councilor Kathy Galvin.
The search begins immediately for Longo's successor. City Manager Maurice Jones says that process will involve input from police officers and the community.
The Charlottesville City Council will interview all the finalists.
Chief Tim Longo will retire from the police department on May 1, 2016.