If you have ever had an emergency while in Palmetto, chances are you have spoken with Dispatcher Dean Carter.
Carter has worked for the Palmetto Police Department for 35 years, but on Sunday, he hung up the phone for the last time.
“The thing that comes to mind when I think of Dean when we come in the morning is the old show Cheers, and everyone would come in and go Norm!" said Palmetto Police Department Officer Jennifer Strass. "Dean is our Norm.”
Carter's dedication to the job has never changed. He takes his job seriously and that makes officers like Douglas Marston feel a lot safer while patrolling the streets.
“It can be life or death," said Marston. "I mean it is very vital we need to know what situation we are walking into. We need to know the type of people we are dealing with.”
It’s not just officers who rely on Dean. Callers are often lost or in danger and Dean needs to calm them down and make sure they are safe.
“When people call for assistance no matter how big or how small it is, you got to help him,” said Carter.
With his upbeat outlook on life, most callers wouldn’t know that some days Carter can barely walk. He has Cerebral Palsy, and although it may take him a little longer to get from place to place, he never let his disability stop him.
“Take this challenge that I have been given and excel with it,” Carter said.
Sunday night there was an empty seat where Carter once sat. After over three decades, he decided to retire.
“I’m sad leaving the city of Palmetto because of all the people that I have here," Carter said. "They are my family, they're all I have.”
“To think about not coming in and seeing him, it's definitely going to be different and whoever takes his place is going to have some pretty big shoes to fill,” said officer Strassner.
Carter is planning to go back to school to study computers. His goal is to teach the elderly how to operate computers so that they can stay in touch with their families.