MARION -- For the past 25 years, Marion Police Chief Dawn Tondini has worked at a job she loved.
"It was what I always wanted to do," said Tondini. "My dad was a cop. I grew up around it."
Even though she was eligible and made tentative plans to retire in August, she put it off.
"I just wasn't ready," she said.
However, after returning from her vacation home in Florida in December, Tondini made the decision.
"I just said, 'it's time,'" she said.
Tondini's retirement date is set for April 1.
Working in law enforcement has been what Tondini described as "a fun job." She said it's one that never boring and different every day.
"I've always appreciated the support from the city and the people I work with," she said.
Tondini said it would be hard for her to pinpoint one thing that is her favorite about her job.
"There are so many difference aspects of the job that are rewarding," she said.
She said changing someone's life is at the top of that list.
"You can take pride when you're in the store and run into someone you've arrested or helped send to prison, and they look at you and say 'thanks for that ... I was mad at the time but you changed my life.'"
Tondini is also proud of outreach projects her department has sponsored for the community, especially the Halloween Spooktacular.
"That's a big community event," she said. "This year, we had around 3,000 people come out for that."
Tondini said she will definitely miss the people she works with.
"I'm here more than at home," she joked. "Just working with these guys, watching them grow and take pride in the work they do ...it's like a big family here."
Mayor Anthony Rinella said he will wait until after the mayor election to appoint a replacement for Tondini.
"She's done a good job," he said. "The department is in good shape."
Assistant Chief Tina Morrow agreed.
"Whoever steps in has some big shoes to fill."
Tondini said she doesn't have any specific plans for retirement other than spending more time with her family, including her sons, Michael and Joey.
She's also looking forward to spending more time at her family's vacation home in Florida.
"It's only five miles from Disney World," she said.
"I might end up guarding Mickey."
