Many people were surprised to hear of Aberdeen Police Chief Bob Torgerson’s retirement announcement Monday, but it’s something he and his family have been discussing for some time and is born out of nothing more than them agreeing it was the right decision at the right time.

“There’s really nothing unusual about it,” he said. “It’s just quite frankly time to pass the torch.”

Torgerson’s decision to retire from the Aberdeen Police Chief position took a similar path of the choice that brought him here to take the job in 2004.

“They did a nationwide search for chief, and I applied and went through the whole process and was offered the job,” said Torgerson. “I discussed it with my wife and we decided if we were going to make a change, let’s make it a good one, moving from the Midwest to the coast.”

Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson and Torgerson spoke last week, “So he knew what my plans were and what I was going to do,” said Torgerson. “He said he would be good enough to hold out announcing my plans because I wanted to talk to my staff first. On Monday I let everybody know.”

Mayor Larson posted on his Facebook page Monday: “Today Police Chief Robert Torgerson announced his retirement. He is joining Corporate Counsel Eric Nelson, who announced his retirement earlier this month, in leaving the city for greener pastures (or maybe a sandy beach or two). Together, they represent more than 40 years of service to the City of Aberdeen and I have enjoyed my short time working with them to make Aberdeen an even better place to live, work, and play.”

Torgerson has selected July 27 as his retirement date. However, his last day in the office will be June 30, as he has decided to use his remaining vacation days from then until the office becomes officially vacant July 27.

Torgerson’s decades of police experience began when he was an air police officer in the Air Force. Then he had stints in Minnesota and Iowa, where he retired at the rank of captain prior to taking the Aberdeen job.

“The mayor has been very supportive of me in my position and in my retirement,” said Torgerson. “It has truly been a pleasure working for the members of this community.