"I'm going to be the one with my arms around his ankles as he is dragging me down the hall when he leaves," said Fitzgerald, an administrative assistant and 38-year department veteran. "He's beloved and widely respected. He was the best lieutenant I've ever had." Today is Pearce's last day on the job. His retirement begins on March 1, nearly 25 years after he joined the force. Pearce grew up in Merchantville and graduated from Pennsauken High School. http://bit.ly/Adlq7P