Watch: Touching moment when police officer's son surprises him during final radio call
A Massachusetts police officer was in for a surprise when he made his final radio call before his retirement. While the cop was trying to communicate with his fellow officers, he heard an unexpected voice at the other end — his son’s. Southbridge Police Department’s Officer Duane Ledoux’s son flew in all the way across the country to give a heartwarming surprise to his father.
The touching moment was recorded on camera, which showed the officer filled with emotion as he made his final radio call on July 25 and the call on the other end was answered by his son, Nate Ledoux.
“It is my sincere pleasure to announce that on this day, after 32.5 years of service, my father, Southbridge Police Officer Duane Ledoux, is retiring and has given his final code five,” Nate can be heard saying in the clip.
He continues, “It is my honor to acknowledge this code five, to set free a man who has sacrificed so much of his time for all of us, so that he may spend the rest of his life discovering new craft beer, exploring this beautiful country, and most importantly, chasing glory.”
“Dad, you are officially code five,” the officer’s son says.
The moment Duane hears Nate’s voice, the visibly emotional officer fights back his tears and responds saying on the radio, “Love you.”
“He did come home. He came home. I called that,” the officer says as he realizes that he son has flown home for the occasion.
Nate’s reaction was also recorded on a Facebook Live, where the officer’s son can be seen smiling as he answers his dad’s call.
Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson also thanked the officer for his more than three decades of service in the department and said, “After more than 31 years of service to the town of Southbridge, Officer Duane Ledoux badge 1041 is retiring and giving his final code five.”
“I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Congratulations brother,” the chief says over the radio.
The officer, in response, thanked the police department, his family and his sons, which includes Nate's brother Nick who died in a car accident years ago and says, "Too much to say... time to go home. Thank you."