BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- When Chief Ron Gastia decided to retire, he thought the transitition from officer to resident would be easy. As Gastia finishes his final days at Bangor Police Department he is confident the department will be able to handle anything that comes their way, but he does not know how he will handle the change.
Chief Gastia said, "I'll come in the door as police chief, as a police officer. To come in here and the point that I walk out the door I lose that identity I'm no longer that person. I'm no longer who everyone remembers me as. I'm somebody...I'm anybody."
For thirty years Gastia has served in every facet of the police department. He has been involved with early childhood development, childhood welfare, and played a major role in the fight against bath salts.
"I did more than I ever dreamed possible. I did more in my career than I said I was going to do. I've been very, very fortunate," said Gastia.
The police chief, however, gives most of the credit to the employees that make up the department.
"We are who we are because of the people who work here. No question. It's not because of me. This seat in the future is just going to carry that on because they don't have to create good people," said Gastia.
Friday will be his last day as Bangor Police Chief, "I know who I am now. I know who I've been for thirty years. I walk out that door I don't know who I am."
But he does not have to worry about losing touch with the city. Monday night he was presented with a key to the city.