WACO, Texas — Two Waco Police detectives who joined the same police academy class 34 years ago are celebrating their retirement Friday.
Detective Mike Alston and Detective Joe Williams both started in the same class in 1989.
"They worked together before joining the PD and are now retiring together," the Waco Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Alston worked as a patrol officer before he was assigned to the Special Crimes Unit where he worked for 31 years, according to the Facebook post.
One of the cases he looked into involved the unsolved murder of 10-year-old Sheila Finch in 1989, which was highlighted in the first episode of "Gone Cold: Unsolved Crimes in Central Texas." That case remains unsolved.
Additionally, Alston was on the Waco PD Honor Guard for 16 years, he earned two meritorious awards. In 2022, he was awarded 'Detective of the Year.'
Williams joined the Special Operations Unit in 1994 then eventually transitioned into the Criminal Investigations Division. During his time with Waco PD, he earned two meritorious awards.
"Thank you for your service Detective Alston and Detective Williams your work has not gone unnoticed and we wish you only the best in retirement," Waco PD said.