SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (WHNT) - The Scottsboro Police Department will be retiring a badge number in honor of former Chief of Police Ralph Dawe, who died on August 14.

Dawe served for 31 years, 14 of which were as Chief of Police.

The police department will retire badge number 650, which carried special significance to Dawe, as it was the former Chief's first badge number. However, it also served as a personal reflection of his heritage as a native of Hawaii, the 50th state in the Union.

He began his career at SPD in 1989 as a patrol officer.

The department said his talent for investigative work became apparent, and he spent the next decade in the detective division. While there, he served as Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. He was promoted to major in 2002, and four years later, he became C

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