Captain Dilday retires
Published 5:21 pm Tuesday, August 27, 2024
- Murfreesboro Police Chief David Griffith (center) holds a ceremonial badge that was presented to retiring Police Captain James “Jamie” Dilday (left) at last week’s meeting of the Town Council. At right is Murfreesboro Mayor Hal Thomas. Staff Photo by Holly Taylor
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MURFREESBORO – The Murfreesboro Town Council opened their Aug. 20 meeting with a recognition for Captain James Dilday, who recently retired from the town’s police department.
Jamie Dilday holds a plaque of appreciation for his 24 years of service to the Murfreesboro Police Department. Staff Photo by Holly Taylor
Mayor Hal Thomas presented two plaques to Dilday from the town and on behalf of the police department, and expressed his appreciation for Dilday’s “long and distinguished career.”
“Thank you very much for all you’ve done,” Thomas said.
The council also voted unanimously on a resolution for Dilday to keep his badge and service weapon, as they usually do for police department retirements.
Captain Dilday began his law enforcement career 27 years ago in his hometown of Ahoskie, but then joined the Murfreesboro Police Department in August 2000 where he has remained for the past 24 years. During that time, he served the department in various capacities including patrolman, sergeant, and then captain.
“He’s kind of a staple in our community,” said Chief David Griffith. “He’s been dedicated to the citizens of Murfreesboro.”
Griffith said it’ll be hard to fill the shoes of someone who’s had so many years of experience, but he congratulated Dilday on reaching this milestone. It’s not often these days, he said, that officers stay with one department for as long as 24 years.
“I want to wish him well in the next part of his career,” he added.
Dilday told the News Herald that the retirement feels a bit “bittersweet” but it was time for him to move on to the next part of his life. He said there are plenty of moments in his career with Murfreesboro PD that he was proud of, but overall, he just enjoyed serving the people of the town.
Since his retirement began, he said he’s come to miss seeing people out and about on his morning patrol, and he also misses the team he worked with at the department.
“Murfreesboro has a lot of good officers. The Chief has put together a really good team,” he said.
“I have really enjoyed working for the police department for the past 24 years,” he continued. “I have made a lot of good friends here. I hope I have done some good.”
As for the next step in his career, Dilday plans to begin working with the hospital’s police force soon. But he also says he’s going to continue to help out Murfreesboro PD when needed, such as during the annual Watermelon Festival.
Murfreesboro is his home, he emphasized, and he doesn’t plan on going anywhere else anytime soon.
