Francis Hunter, a longtime fixture in the Ocala Police Department who trained many of the officers he worked with, retired this week after a 50-year career with the agency.
This marks the second retirement for Hunter, who first hung up his badge as a police officer in 1998 but immediately came back to start a new career in background investigations.
During his years with the Ocala Police Department, Hunter served in a variety of roles, including patrol officer, detective and arson investigator.
“He has had a huge impact on this organization, and the police department would not be as good as it is today without Francis Hunter,” Chief Greg Graham said. “He was a senior officer when I was hired and I have always looked up to and respected him. He’s been a fixture in this organization for 50 years and will be sorely missed.”
Deputy Chief Mike Balken agreed, adding, “Francis was instrumental in my transition from a young patrol officer to a Major Crimes detective and has been a great mentor and friend.”