They kept coming in droves to thank the outgoing leader of the police department at a special event Friday afternoon.

Now Former Pella Police Chief Robert Bokinsky received plenty of thank yous, handshakes, and hugs as residents, city council members past and present, law enforcement leaders and officers, and friends attended an open house held to honor his eight years of service to Pella during the chief’s last day on the job.

Interim Police Chief and Lt. Paul Haase presented Chief Bokinsky with a plaque commemorating his time in the Tulip City, after which, Bokinsky gave a brief speech to a packed room in the Public Safety Complex City Council Chambers.

Haase and Lt. Dave Beukelman–who will assume duties as interim chief after 90 days of Haase’s time in the role, both say there will be a hole left for awhile as Bokinsky moves on to serve at the Scottsdale Police Department, and both aim to do their best to bridge the gap as the search begins for a new police chief in the community.

Bokinsky began his time in Pella in January 2012 after three decades of service in Ocean City, MD. He will be assuming a director role with the Scottsdale, Arizona police department later this month.