After a career in law enforcement that began in Douglas County and culminated with 15 years in the United States Attorney’s Office, Jim Flory announced his retirement Monday, effective today.

Flory, 57, a lifelong Douglas County resident, has worked for the office since 1991 after stints on nearly every level of law enforcement in the county, including being elected district attorney twice.

“It is impossible to overstate how big a hole there will be at the U.S. Attorney’s Office when Jim leaves,” U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren said in a statement. “We will all miss him terribly.”

Flory served as the acting United States attorney during the change of administration between Presidents Clinton and Bush, then became the first assistant when Melgren assumed the post.

In his statement, Melgren said that as his principal deputy, Flory was key to the department’s operations during his stint as U.S. attorney. “I could not count the number of times I have relied on his experience, wisdom and judgment,” Melgren said.

Flory began his career in law enforcement as a radio dispatcher for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 1966. He worked for the department while attending Kansas University, where he eventually earned his juris doctorate from the School of Law in 1979.

He became an assistant Kansas attorney general, then chief of the criminal division in that office.

He won his first term as district attorney in 1984, defeating Mike Glover. He ran unopposed in 1988.

“The past 15 years have been exceptionally enjoyable and rewarding for me,” Flory told colleagues Monday, “but I think that it is time to pursue new adventures.”