SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County Sheriff-elect Javier Salazar will formally retire from the San Antonio Police Department at the end of this month.
His colleagues held a luncheon celebrating Salazar's career and retirement on Wednesday.
Twenty-three years ago, he began as a patrol officer on San Antonio's west side, as well as on downtown bike patrol.
Salazar was part of the department's effort to focus on community policing, and after several promotions, he became the spokesperson for SAPD in 2012.
Salazar acknowledged his history with the police department, but was in high spirits.
"The San Antonio Police Department made me the officer that I am today. I want to thank everyone at SAPD for that. Along with that comes a change, of course, in headwear. I'm going from the aviator's cap to the Stetson,” said Salazar.
Salazar officially takes office on Jan. 1. Bexar County is the 14th largest county in the U.S.