After 28 years of community service as a police officer, 26 of those with the Pleasanton Police Department, Capt. Eric Finn retired Friday.

Finn began his career as a deputy sheriff with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office in 1988 and was hired as a police officer with the Pleasanton Police Department two years later. He has served on a variety of assignments including patrol, investigations, field training officer and on the department's SWAT team.

Finn was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1997 and served as a field supervisor, field training coordinator and traffic unit supervisor before being promoted to lieutenant in 2002. He served as a watch commander and administrative lieutenant until 2007 when he was promoted to the rank of captain.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in management from St. Mary's College and a master's degree in public administration from Cal State Hayward, all while working full-time for the department and raising four children with Karey, his wife of 30 years.

He furthered his education by graduating from the FBI National Academy, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's Command College, and Harvard's Kennedy School for Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.

Sgt. Pat Walsh of the department's Youth and Community Services Unit (who will soon be retiring, too) said that throughout his career "Eric earned a reputation as an officer who genuinely cares; he cares about the members of our police department and he cares about the people he serves in the community."

"Eric's commitment to the community is also seen in the relationships he developed that are part of the basis of the outstanding community-police relations we enjoy in Pleasanton," Walsh added..

Finn's commitment cannot be overstated. He was involved in countless community youth organizations, he coached a variety of youth sports teams, he served as a mentor in his church and he has been a member of Rotary International, traveling to foreign countries to provide assistance to those less fortunate.

Walsh added that Finn is a passionate and outstanding leader who always challenges others to be better, and he takes pride in mentoring others and offering opportunities for personal and professional development.

Finn's personnel file is replete with commendations and letters of appreciation and recognition, which praise his professionalism, compassion and his efforts that go well beyond the call of duty.