[Scan-DC] TWO LAWMEN SIGN OFF

[Alan Henney]

The News-Gazette (Lexington, Virginia)

July 25, 2018

TWO LAWMEN SIGN OFF

BYLINE: Lisa Perry

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. B7

LENGTH: 369 words

For a fleeting moment on Tuesday afternoon, July 10, police scanner traffic
wasn't filled with dropping tones, encrypted messages, or staticpocked
voices of rescue workers.

Sometime around shift's end, radios went eerily quiet, elbowing in a
minute's respite from law enforcement business to make room for the final
dispatches of two veterans on their last day of duty. Sgt. Steve Emore and
Deputy Chucky Bergdorf took to the airwaves as law enforcement officers for
the last time. "After 26 and a half years of service to the county of
Rockbridge, Unit 16 is off duty," Emore radioed.

"Twenty six years of service to the citizens of Rockbridge County, thank
you, 2216, for your loyal service and commitment. Happy retirement,"
central dispatch radioed back.

"It's been good," radioed Lexington dispatch.

And Bergdorf's final exit: "After 30 years of service to Lexington City and
Rockbridge County, 2219 off duty for the last time."

Central dispatch: "After 30 years of services to the citizens of Rockbridge
County Thank you, 2219, for your loyal service and commitment. It has been
an honor to work with you. Happy retirement.

"Thank you for your service. We're going to miss you. Congrats," replied
Lexington dispatch.

"Been a pleasure, brother," radioed another onduty officer.

"We will take it from here," finished central dispatch after both
transmissions.

Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office videoed the verbal retirement salutes,
and within 24 hours of posting them on Facebook, Facebook had logged nearly
24, 000 views on the pair. A week later, 10, 000 more views were logged,
and the videos had been shared no less than 445 times.

Emore and Bergdorf both served, at various times, as courthouse bailiffs
and patrol deputies. Emore oversaw Rockbridge Courthouse security, and
Bergdorf was also a DARE officer and school resource officer, at one point.
Sheriff Chris Blalock said that the men's departures are bittersweet for
the office.

"I would like to express my appreciation for their many years of dedication
and commitment to the Sheriff's Office. Steve and Chuckie both served our
community honestly and faithfully. They will be missed, but we wish them
all the best in their retirements," Blalock said.



GRAPHIC: RETIRING ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY DEPUTIES CHUCKY BERGDORF, left, and
Sgt. Steve Emore prepare for departure from their respective careers at the
local law enforcement agency. The pair signed off duty for the last time
July 10. (Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office photo).