After 32 years in law enforcement, a Douglas County Sheriff’s lieutenant is retiring.

Stephen Brown, the sheriff’s department’s operations administrative lieutenant, will retire Friday. A reception will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in the jury assembly room at the Law Enforcement Center.

Brown began his career with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 1977 as a corrections officer. He went on to be the department’s first crime prevention officer, the first DARE officer and the first K-9 handler.

In 2004, Brown helped establish the Kansas Internal Affairs Investigators Association and was elected president. In 2007, he served on the board of the National Internal Affairs Investigators Association.

He also served as the chief of police in Bolivar, Mo., from 1992 until his return to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in 1999.

Brown said he is looking forward to having more time for motorcycle riding, bicycling, camping and fishing.