ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Elmira Police Department bid a fond farewell to one of their own in a retirement ceremony outside city hall today. Personnel from the Elmira Police Department lined up for a ceremonial walkout to dedicate the service of Detective Bureau Lieutenant Yuri Charlanow, who formally retired from duty today after a seventeen year tenure with the Elmira Police Department.

Lieutenant Charlanow joined the Elmira Police Department in 2006 and served on patrol until 2019 following a promotion to the Detective Bureau. In January of 2022, Charlanow became the Detective Bureau's Commander in charge of the department's investigative division. In addition to his investigative work, Charlanow has also served as a police instructor with focuses in both mental health and domestic violence.

Charlanow stated that though he's finished with his time in the police, he's set to start his next chapter, "It's overwhelming, but it's time for me to walk on, start my next chapter. Just retiring from this, not from life. I'm going on to whatever comes up next."

Throughout his time at E-P-D, Lieutentant Charlanow also served in leadership roles with the Crisis Negotiation Team and Police Honor Guard. He stated he will miss the camaraderie between himself and his co-workers that he enjoyed during his time with the force.