Bev Cross-McNeal has announced her retirement after 33 years of service.

Police Chief Kyle Fittro said she will be greatly missed at the department.

“After more than 33 years of personal and professional trials, tribulation and triumphs, Bev has proven to be an exceptional officer and an exceptional human being,” he said. “She is constantly striving to make the Delphos community a better place to live and work. She is an individual who is strong enough to put the bad guys in jail but compassionate and caring enough to support the community in numerous other ways.”

Cross-McNeal began her career with the police department as a dispatcher on June 18, 1979, while she was completing course work at the police academy. On Aug. 10, 1979, she graduated and nine days later was made an auxiliary patrol officer. She was on the auxiliary force from Aug. 19, 1979, to Nov. 3, 1979.

On Nov. 4, 1979, she made history when she was hired as the first full-time female police officer in Delphos.