VALLEY — A long-serving officer with the Valley Police Department was honored by the city council in a retirement ceremony Monday evening.

Corporal Stephen Doyal has been in local law enforcement since 1992, with most of his service being with the VPD.

He was presented with a plaque by Chief Tommy Weldon commending him for more than a quarter-century of work as a highly dependable officer. Following the meeting, Corp. Doyal and his family were honored with a reception in the city hall conference room.

“I appreciate everyone coming out tonight,” Doyal said in a voice halting with emotion. “I have had a great career. There aren’t many jobs out there where you can be with heroes every time you go to work.”

Doyal received a loud round of applause and a standing ovation as the plaque was presented.

Weldon said that he and Corp. Doyal had worked a lot together on traffic details near local schools in the mornings.

“He will be back with us in August,” Chief Weldon said. “He will be working as a resource officer in local schools.”

Doyal began his law enforcement career in Chambers County in 1992. He was hired on as a reserve deputy by the Sheriff’s Office.

Doyal went on to attend the Northeast Alabama Police Academy, where he graduated first in his class.

He then was hired by the VPD and worked in the patrol division.

He was promoted within the department in 1997 and in 2005 went to work for the Lanett Police Department.

He returned to Valley Police Department a few years later.

Chief Johnny Wood of the Lanett Police Department was present at the Monday meeting to thank Corp. Doyal for his 26-year career in local law enforcement and to wish him well in retirement.

Also on Monday, Lt. Chris Daniel was presented a detective’s badge, marking six month’s with VPD’s criminal investigation division.