Massachusetts police officer's son surprises him during final radio call

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. (FOX 13) - A Massachusetts police officer made his final radio call after more than 30 years of service, but he didn’t expect to hear a familiar voice on the other end of the radio.

Duane Ledoux made his last call on July 25 as a Southbridge police officer. In a live video on Facebook, Chief Sand Woodson said over the radio from police headquarters, “After more than 31 years of service to the town of Southbridge, Officer Duane Ledoux, badge 1041, is retiring and giving his final code five. I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Congratulations brother.”

Fighting back tears, Ledoux thanked Woodson, the agency, and his family, including his sons, Nick and Nate. According to WCVB, Nick died in a car accident years ago. Ledoux thought Nate was across the country on his last day, but he wasn’t.

In the Facebook live, Nate joins the police chief’s side and made his own announcement over the radio:

“It is my sincere pleasure to announce that... on this day, after 32 ½ years of service, my father, Southbridge Police Officer Duane Ledoux, is retiring and has given his final code five. It is my honor to acknowledge this code five. To set free a man who has sacrificed so much of his time for all of us. So that he may spend the rest of his life discovering new craft beer, exploring this beautiful country and most important of all chasing glory. Dad, you are officially code five.”

A separate video showed Ledoux in disbelief, and at first not believing it was Nate on the other end of the radio. 

“He did come home,” Ledoux said while choking up. “He came home."