David King, chief of the Parker Police Department since 2006, announced his retirement Nov. 21.

King has served with the Parker department for 33 years, 13 of those as chief. His retirement is effective at the end of the year.

King made a statement through the Parker Police Department Facebook page:

“I am very fortunate to have worked with many talented individuals who have helped me elevate the Parker Police Department to the nationally recognized agency that it is today. The support of Parker residents has been amazing throughout the years and has reminded me why I wanted to make this the best agency possible; the great people of Parker. It is with mixed feelings that I announce my retirement as Chief of Police at the end of the year.”

King joined the force in 1986, when the police department was a quonset hut on Mainstreet, where O'Brien Park is located today. The department had three police cars and the average officer made $6.50 to $8 an hour, the PPD Facebook posts states. At that time, the town was one-square mile in area with a population of 1,500. Today, Parker's population is about 56,000.

"Chief's been a huge asset to the town. He’s been with us for such a long time, worked his way up the ranks and done a lot to lead the department into the 21st century and bring a good standard level to the police department," said Mayor Mike Waid. " "We have arguably one of the finest police forces in the entire nation, and it’s no secret he’s been a part of that."

King's annual salary was $170,000 as of July 2019.

Josh Hans, a Parker Police Department spokesman, said the department will name an interim chief before the end of the year and a national search will begin in January.