COEUR d'ALENE - Except for bad guys who've had him at their heels in a foot pursuit, Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Wayne Longo comes across as about the nicest guy in town.

On Tuesday at the Coeur d'Alene Police Department headquarters, Longo, 60, was celebrated by his peers on the eve of his retirement. His last day in office is Friday.

Wiping away a tear or two here and there, Longo said being the chief the past six years was the crowning achievement of his career.

"I've always felt like I've been one of you, working side-by-side with you," Longo told a conference room full of officers, department support staff and volunteers. "I never felt like I was any better."

He added: "I couldn't think of any better way to end my career than working with all of you."

In an interview, Longo said he'll miss putting the uniform on each day, adding he has always had public service in his blood. He has been in law enforcement for 37 years.

Jon Ingalls, deputy Coeur d'Alene city administrator, said Longo provided "unwavering service, unparalleled involvement in the community, incredible dedication to his profession, and incredible character."

In a letter to Longo from Mayor Sandi Bloem, read by Ingalls, she called him "Mr. Community." She said Longo's community service contributions have been "immeasurable and unequaled."

"Without a doubt, you have ascended to the very top cadre among a class of truly elite senior law enforcement professionals," she wrote.

She added, "You are regarded by many as the best chief the city has had, and we have had some outstanding chiefs."

Don Robinson, who served as the supervisor of the Coeur d'Alene FBI office before transferring to Moscow, Russia, said in a letter to Longo that the law enforcement community of North Idaho is losing its "senior statesman."

Robinson wrote that he benefited from Longo's "experience, wisdom, guidance and dedication to duty."

Longo began his career as an identification clerk for the FBI in Washington, D.C. He later became a detective for the Idaho State Police, then District 1 investigations division commander for the agency, then patrol commander for the district.

After 31 years with ISP, he became Coeur d'Alene's 12th police chief.

Longo said he plans to continue teaching at Lewis-Clark State College and North Idaho College. He also plans to continue his volunteer work in the community.

"I'm not going to stop giving back just because I'm retired," Longo said. "The community has been good to me."