Capt. Doug Dugger and Lt. Sandy Moretz of the Appalachian State University Police Department will celebrate their retirements Friday.

The two have a combined 54-year tenure serving the university’s community, according to a press release.

Dugger has been with the ASU Police Department since 1986, and has been a Captain with the department since 2007.

Moretz graduated from Appalachian State in 1984 with degrees in criminal justice and psychology, and began working for the ASU Police Department the same year.

Dugger said that he is looking forward to retirement.

“Like most officers who have reached retirement, I wish that I would have written [my experiences] down and published a book,” Dugger said. “Some of the things that I feel are my favorite memories are seeing some of the students return after many years and asking, ‘Are you still here? I remember you when I went to school here.’ I enjoy having them share with me their accomplishments and having them introduce me to their families.”

Moretz said that she enjoys working with college students.

“A lot of them are away from home for the first time and this can present unique challenges. I enjoy helping people. I know that sounds like a cliché, but that is honestly why I entered the police field,” Moretz said. “Working at ASU is like working with family. I’m going to miss working at ASU, but I am looking forward to new experiences and challenges. “

Moretz will be working part-time with the Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital Police as well as taking classes on the side.

“It will be a new chapter in my life, but I will miss the people that I work with. I could not have asked to work with such a great group of people. I have made many friends throughout the community of Appalachian State University,” Dugger said.

Chief of Police Gunther Doerr said that both Dugger and Moretz are “outstanding, excellent” officers.

“I hate to lose them, but that’s the way things go,” Doerr said.

Story: JOSHUA FARMER, Senior News Reporter