Correspondent photo / Chris McBride Warren Police Capt. Jeff Cole inside the Warren Police department after receiving his key to the city from Warren Mayor Doug Franklin.

WARREN — Warren Police Capt. Jeff Cole, a 32-year veteran who officials credit with helping guide the department through turbulent times and building community trust, retired last week and was honored Wednesday with the key to the city during a Warren City Council meeting.

Mayor Doug Franklin presented the key to Cole, praising his professionalism and longtime service.

Warren Police Chief Eric Merkel, who has worked alongside Cole for 31 years called the retirement “a huge loss for the police department.”

“He’s played some critical roles in the police department through time,” Merkel said. “I respected him. Respected his opinion. Whenever I needed to make a decision, I definitely took what he told me home and thought about that really hard.”

Cole’s last day was Friday. He spent much of his career in internal affairs and as commander of emergency services. Merkel said the department has been developing new leaders to fill the gap left by Cole and others.

Standing before council, Cole said it was difficult to say goodbye after three decades serving a city that became home to him, even though he originally hails from Youngstown.

“It’s just been an honor to serve the city of Warren,” Cole said. “The past 32 years that I’ve served, Warren has been home to me. The residents of the city, I’ve made numerous friends, a couple of foes, that goes with the territory. But the one thing I can say for my career is that no matter friend or foe, I treated everybody with respect and equally.”

Cole revealed he was diagnosed with cancer in August, shortly before his original planned retirement in November.

“I survived that. A lot of people say they beat cancer. I just survived it,” he said.

His retirement plans include focusing on health, spending more time with his wife, children and grandchildren and enjoying golf.

Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, recalled watching Cole rise through the ranks and praised how he helped maintain trust during volatile periods of community distrust in police.

“You held it together, and you were coming to our neighborhoods and just talked to us straight,” Rucker said. “We’re very proud.”

Councilman Ron White, D-7th Ward, said Cole was always easy to talk to and straightforward.

“He showed what being a police officer was all about integrity,” White said.

Cole thanked the mayor, chief and council, telling the community, “If I know you, I love you. If I don’t know you, I love you, too.”