Broward's Longest-Serving Fire Rescue Employee Retires

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- It was a final farewell for the longest-serving Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue employee at a retirement ceremony to honor his career.

With 40 years of service, Battalion Chief John Cotton's retirement party was held Thursday morning at Station 32 on S.W. 4th Avenue.

"It's very heart-warming. I didn't expect it," said Cotton, surrounded by dozens of friends and colleagues. "I'll try to remember the good parts. The saves. The grandmother that smiled at you just for being there and holding her hand."

Chief Cotton started his career at the birth of Broward County EMS which eventually merged with Broward County Fire and ultimately, the Broward Sheriff's Office. He was one of the very first paramedics licensed in Florida and became a pioneer in the emergency field field helping to shape it into the life-saving service we know it as today.

Friends, family and co-workers came out for the send off with an honor guard, bag-pipers and a full ceremony in the fire service tradition.