LABELLE — On Friday, Nov. 27, longtime Hendry County Sheriff’s Office employee Ty Marshal retired.

Ty was employed with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office in June of 2000. He was assigned to the Road Patrol Division for a very short period of time and quickly moved to the School Resource Officer Unit, where he remained for 17 years!

He began his career in law enforcement with the Winter Springs Police Department in April of 1991. Well, actually before that, he was also an Explorer and it was there he met his wife, Barb. Later, he and his family relocated to South Florida where he worked for the Seminole Police Department for six years, then finishing out another 20 years with Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.

Professionally and career-wise, Ty continued to grow in his career and found his niche’ as a School Resource Officer. He became a DARE Instructor and he brought the great program to Hendry County and became an instructor; he also was an agency hostage negotiator. He was promoted to the position of School Resource Officer Sergeant in January of 2015 and at the same time he also assumed the leadership and position of Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, Explorer Post #642, senior advisor. In February of 2017, Ty transferred to the Criminal Investigative Division, where the knowledge he had gained over the previous years provided to be a tremendous tool for that division and crime solving.

Over his 20 years of service, alongside the members of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and service to the many youth, parents and citizens of Hendry County, Ty’s dedication will be hard to replace, if at all. Ty knew nearly every child that passed through the Hendry County Schools - good, bad or otherwise. He was supportive in every way to the overall success of each child, and please know these kids knew Ty.

That very dedication to these students didn’t stop at 3 p.m., when the last child boarded a school bus or left the school campus, he also coached LaBelle High School Baseball. He attended football games, basketball games and even when he was out in the community with his own family, he was easily recognized.

He was always on duty, always available for the students, many times receiving calls from students or their parents and his transfer to the Criminal Investigation Unit didn’t stop those calls either. Students that knew him, continued to call him sharing not only their problems or disappointments, but also their accomplishments.

Whether you were a student or someone he had arrested, it made no difference and we’re sure the mention of his name brings a smile to your face and fond memories.

“There really are no words to express how we feel about Ty,” said Sheriff Steve Whidden. “He is respected and loved by so many and will be genuinely missed.”

On Nov. 27, members of the Criminal Investigation Unit along with Sheriff Steve Whidden presented Detective Sgt. Ty Marshall with a plaque, recognizing and thanking him for his years of service and dedication.