DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — A decorated and highly respected Palm Beach County school police officer received a special sendoff on Friday after nearly four decades in law enforcement.
Officer Bill Tome, who works for Palm Beach County School District police at Carver Middle School in Delray Beach, is retiring.
Friday marked Tome's last day on the job, so students and staff members honored him at a special block party on campus.
🔽 WATCH BLOCK PARTY 🔽
"I probably knew about 50 kids by name and now I now about 1,000," said Tome. "It was touching."
Tome started his law enforcement career with the Delray Beach Police Department and eventually moved to the Boynton Beach Police Department, which he retired from in 2010.
Tome has been with the school district police for the last nine years.
"I am leaving the paycheck but I am not leaving the mission," said Tome. "I will be involved with the kids."
Tome also started The Bill Tome Foundation for Kids & Families, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives of inner city children.
The foundation raises money for clothing and school supplies, and also offers enrichment and extracurricular activities, as well as summer camps and sports to keep kids out of trouble.
In addition to Friday's party, students and faculty made a touching sendoff video for Officer Tome.
🔽 WATCH SENDOFF VIDEO 🔽
Thank you Officer Tome for all your years of service and dedication to our community!
THANK YOU OFFICER!!! Officer Tome is retiring after almost 40 years of service. https://t.co/DCT0sszHWt @WPTV pic.twitter.com/RJpM60ZB8V
— Miranda Christian (@MirandaWPTV) September 20, 2019