BBC News, Bristol
A police officer whose surprise retirement send-off went viral on TikTok said the gesture was “amazing”.
On the day of his last shift as a mounted officer with Avon and Somerset Police, Jonathan Green, 65, walked out to the stables to see colleagues had formed a guard of honour on horseback.
Mr Green, from Westerleigh, near Bristol, who spent 46 years with the force, became emotional when he spoke about the tribute, which has had more than 150,000 views on social media.
“They gave me a wonderful send-off,” he told BBC Radio Bristol breakfast presenter Joe Sims.
“Assistant Chief [Constable] Jon Cummins came down and gave me a lovely speech and all my colleagues were there,” he said.
“They presented me with some lovely gifts and when I actually walked out through the stables for the last time, just to see all the horses lined up for me was amazing.
“I’ve had a privileged career, horses were my hobby really. It was my wife who gave me riding lessons originally, and I was always falling off at the start.”
‘It’s a big thing’
Mr Green said he was completely unaware of the surprise awaiting him at the stables.
“I did then think something might be happening as none of the horses were there, and when I stepped round the corner it was a wonderful moment,” he said.
Mr Green said he did not have much of an understanding of social media, and it was his son who alerted him to the video going viral.
“I suppose really it resonates for people who are retiring after a number of years, it’s a big thing when you do it,” he said.
“It’s been a part of my life for 46 years.”
Mr Green plans to spend more time with his two grandchildren in retirement, including his granddaughter who has taken up pony riding.
