Friday Jan. 29 was the end of an era at Russellville Police Department as two officers with 28 years of law enforcement service each finished their last days at work before retirement.

Capt. Scotty Lowery has served 27 years in Russellville following work as an officer in Phil Campbell, and Lt. Brian Shackelford has served 25 years in Russellville following time as an officer in Phil Campbell and at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

“This is kind of bittersweet because this is pretty much all I’ve known since I was 22 years old,” Lowery said.

Shackelford agreed, saying he has had a lot of memories in the time he has been in Russellville.

“I’ve been able to experience a lot of good times here and a lot of hard times,” Shackelford said.

Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said it is going to be difficult losing two experienced officers like Shackleford and Lowery.

“With experience comes level-headedness and knowing how to respond in certain situations,” Hargett said. “We are going to miss them around here.”

Lowery and Shackelford both said their best moments as officers came from the work they were able to do with the community.

“I am proud of all of the ways I was able to help people,” Shackelford said. “I have had a lot of opportunities to help people, which I feel like is the most rewarding part of the job.”

Lowery said in his time as an officer he has worked to help people in whatever way possible. “I love that I am able to say there are people that I was able to make a difference in their life,” Lowery said. “That is the most rewarding part.”

Although Lowery and Shackelford are retiring from Russellville Police Department, both will remain active in one form or another.

Shackelford said he might continue to work as an officer with Parks and Recreation or as an EMT, which he has already been doing.

“I have been working two to three jobs for so many years, I wouldn’t know how to not work,” Shackelford said. “I am sure I will keep doing something.”

Lowery will begin in mid-February as a new school resource officer for Russellville Elementary School.

“I am not going to be in the authority role that I have been in for a while, but I will still be around,” Lowery said. “I am excited for this next chapter and what all it will bring.”