For the first time in decades, the name “Parrish” is nowhere to found on the roster of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

After 27 years of service to the county, Lyndon Parrish retired from his post as a captain with the sheriff’s office at the beginning of the month.

Last week, though, the outgoing law enforcement officer received a nice retirement gift; recognition from his former boss and the members of Cass County Board of Commissioners.

The board issued a proclamation during their meeting Thursday, honoring Parrish for his more than 30 years of dedication to law enforcement in the county. Sheriff Joseph Underwood also presented him and his family with a plaque commemorating his numerous accomplishments while with his office.

“[Parrish] has always been an asset to the department, and consistently put the people of Cass County first, after family and church,” Underwood said.

Before joining the sheriff’s office as a deputy in 1987, Parrish had served on the police forces of Cassopolis and Marcellus, as well as at the Virginia Commonwealth University. In the years that followed, Parrish rose through the ranks of the sheriff’s office, serving as the commander of the Cass County Major Crimes Task Force as well as the coordinator for the Missing Child Response Team.

In 2004, Parrish was instrumental in helping to find a kidnapped child, Lindsay Ryan, who was abducted and taken out of the state. He went on to receive two awards for his contributions, one from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and another from the OJJDP National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“He’s truly going to be missed at the Cass County Sheriff’s Office,” Underwood said. “I appreciate all the things he’s done to help me over the years. You’re only as good as the people who are behind you, who are moving things forward.”