Veteran Pleasant Grove Public Safety Director Chief Robert “Corky” Knight is hanging up his badge after more than 40 years of law enforcement service,

Knight, 67, announced his retirement on Wednesday. He has served as the only public safety director in Jefferson County, which means has been both the police and fire chief in Pleasant Grove.

He began his public service career in 1978 with the Center Point Fire Department.

In 1981, he transitioned to the police work and joined the Graysville Police Department. He attended the University of Alabama Police Academy’s Session 53 in August of 1981, where he earned Top Gun honors.

Knight transferred to the Pleasant Grove Police Department in 1983, where he served as a patrolman, narcotics investigator, and sergeant before being named public safety director in 2009.

When he took on that new role, Knight attended the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Recruit Academy graduating in 2011 at 55 years old.

During his tenure, Knight oversaw the rescue and cleanup operations from the deadly tornadoes that struck Pleasant Grove in 2011, helped maintain and ensure a Top 10 Safest Cities in Alabama rating, and brought the city’s fire rating from a 5 to a 3.

“His almost 45 years in uniform as a first responder,’’ according to his retirement announcement, “is a testament to his character and dedication to this great state.”

Capt. Danny Reid is serving as Pleasant Grove’s acting police chief following Knight’s retirement.