Lt. Gene Eyster retires after 47 years as an officer

South Bend Police Lieutenant Gene Eyster bid farewell to the department Friday. He retired after 47 years of service.

Lt. Eyster has been an officer since 1974.

He was honored by the department Friday during a special farewell.

“This has been my second home. I’ve worked with over 750 people here. A lot of highly qualified and dedicated individuals," Eyster said.

In his 47 years Eyster has been a part of SWAT, the Dive team, the detective bureau, the homicide unit, traffic and FACT.