After more than 28 years of service, Sgt. First Class Novin Thomas gave his last sign off on the police radio to mark the end of his career with the Pennigton Police Department.
Thomas, whose retirement from the police department went into effect on July 1, had fellow officers, township staff, family, friends, and community members fill out Borough Hall’s meeting room for his walk-out ceremony in early July.
People then lined out in front of Borough Hall as Thomas made the walk to his patrol car for his final sign off on the radio with a police dispatcher which marked the end of Thomas’s service.
“As an officer for 28 years, Novin Thomas provided a stable environment and friendly demeanor,” said Lt. Daryl Burroughs, who is officer-in-charge of the Pennington Police Department.
“Due to his length of service, he established strong ties with the community which promoted our motto of “personalized police service.”
The last sign off is a tradition in police departments and other first responder departments to honor the individual’s service to the community and department.
“On behalf of the Borough of Pennington, I want to thank Sergeant Novin Thomas for nearly three decades of dedicated service to our police department and community, and I wish him all the best for a well-earned and happy retirement,” Mayor James Davy said.
Thomas rose from patrol officer to sergeant first class in his more than 28 years at Pennington Police Department.
“Throughout his 28-year career, Novin Thomas served the community as a member of the department and experienced many of the changes and challenges that shaped modern policing,” Burroughs added.
Thomas and Burroughs worked together for about 18 years in Pennington.
“Working with him reminded me that every officer brings a different perspective and approach to the job,” Burroughs shared.
Sgt. First Class Novin Thomas (right) gives his final sign off next to Lt. Daryl Burroughs (left) during his walk-out ceremony on July 3.
Sgt. First Class Novin Thomas (left) signs off for final time as an officer of the Pennington Police Department.
