Emotions are mixed for Sheriff Raleigh H. Isaacs Sr. as he prepares to leave the elected post he has held for 23 years.

With Isaacs’ retirement, effective Jan. 1, more than 55 years of law enforcement experience is leaving the sheriff’s office. However, he believes he is leaving the office in good hands.

“We have one of the most experienced offices in the state of Virginia,” he said recently.

Isaacs started gaining his own experience in Norfolk in 1961, when he became a police patrolman. He wanted to become an FBI investigator and was working as an accountant after having obtained a business degree.

He figured the local police department was his foot in the door. However, as it turned out, he never left local law enforcement.

After a stint as a patrolman, he worked narcotics for about five years. But experience as an accident investigator during his patrolman days led to job offers from insurance companies, which he almost accepted.

But that was when the Suffolk Police Department came calling. After a lot of cajoling, Isaacs agreed to started as a sergeant in Suffolk in 1970.

“The rest of it was history,” said Isaacs, who is a native of Suffolk.

He became lieutenant when the Suffolk and Nansemond County departments merged. In 1975, he became captain and was assigned to work with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.

He lost his first election for sheriff in 1989. Undaunted, he ran again in 1993 and was elected.

In Suffolk, the sheriff’s office is responsible for courthouse security and civil process, along with many other duties.

Isaacs has prided himself on hiring only staff who are already trained as law enforcement officers, saving taxpayers the cost of the initial training process.

“We’re very selective about who we hire. We want them to be experienced.”

Isaacs believes he has assembled an excellent staff, which includes 25 full-time and 12 part-time employees.

Isaacs also said he appreciates the “outstanding” working relationship he had with the Suffolk Police Department.

In reflecting on his entire career, Isaacs said law enforcement has been a good career.

“It’s been a good experience,” he said. “It’s taken a very serious note in recent years, with all the violence taking place across the nation. It’s something to think about before you jump into the arena.”

Isaacs said he and his wife, Phyllis, plan to travel and spend more time with their children and grandchildren.

Upon his retirement, Maj. E.C. Harris automatically becomes sheriff for a year but then must run for election to stay in the job. He said this week he plans to run for election next fall, when Isaacs’ term would have been up.

Harris has been in the sheriff’s office since 2014 and also has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement.

“It’s sad leaving, but I know this place is going to be in good hands,” Isaacs said.