Three Bronx detectives retired from the NYPD Thursday, with friends and family gathering at Detective Borough Bronx to give them a traditional send off into the next chapter of their lives.

A combined 81 years of service retired from the NYPD Thursday.

Detective Luis Salvador retired after 29 years, Detective Mitch Geist retired after 27 years and Detective John Ferretti retired after 25 years.

The department saw a surge in both retirements, and officers who filed for retirement this year.

According to Politico, 1,550 officers filed from March 1 through Aug. 11. During that same time last year, 841 filed.

"It's my choice. I opted to do this. It has nothing to do with what's going on in the city. It's just the fact that I needed to come home,” says Detective Salvador.

Their proper sendoff included the trio signing the book one last time, a mariachi band singing their goodbyes and a ceremonial ride around the block.

For Detective Salvador, that was in an old radio motor patrol car. He also had this final message for the community.

"The education starts in the house. You got to teach your kid the principle of life, to respect the women, to respect the child, to respect the property that is not yours, and at the same time to obey the law,” says Detective Salvador.