One of the Selma Police Department’s highest-ranking officers will spend his last day with the department Friday.

Lt. Curtis Muhannad, who has been with the Selma Police Department for 13 years, is resigning.

Muhannad has accepted a position as a parole officer with the Alabama Department of Pardons and Paroles.

“After 13 years of service, you make a lot of friends, you have a lot of memories and you have history with guys,” Muhannad said. “I’m going to miss the small setting knowing everybody at the police department.”

Muhannad started in Selma as a patrolman on June 4, 2002. During his career he was promoted twice, earning the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant.

“I was promoted to sergeant in 2009, and then in 2012 I got promoted to lieutenant.,” Muhannad said.

“I’ve worked as a motor officer, I’ve been in narcotics, I definitely worked in patrol, I’ve been a detective and I also ended up being the commander over the detective division.”

The 13-year veteran has made many memories during his time with the department, but one that stands out is his first death investigation.

Muhannad said he was responding to a call about a child being locked in the trunk of a car at the Salvation Army, and it was a call that taught him a life lesson he will never forget.

“It turned out to be an adult, and when I arrived … the young man committed suicide. That is one of the things that really stands out in my career,” Muhannad said.

“That’s when I really started understanding the things that people in society go through and what they do to deal with their problems.”

During his time in Selma, Muhannad also left his mark on the department by establishing an honor guard and field training officer program.

“The honor guard was established by me and through my military career. The honor guard brings pride, honor and integrity to the officers and also the city and the families of law enforcement officers when they see those guys out there performing,” Muhannad said.

Muhannad said the field-training program helped provide new recruits with proper training and better prepared them for a successful career in law enforcement.

Muhannad said he is also going to miss interacting with the community as a police officer, but he won’t be going anywhere.

Muhannad said he and his family will remain in Selma. He plans to travel daily to his new job in Thomasville at the L.I.F.E. Tech Transition Center, which gives parolees a second chance and an opportunity to rebuild their lives by earning a certificate in one of the center’s many programs.

The center allows parolees to earn certificates in welding, carpentry, electrical work and other fields, as well as GED classes.

“For 13 years I got an opportunity to see young men and women make mistakes,” Muhannad said.

“This is an opportunity now for me to do 12 or more years helping these guys re-acclimate themselves to society and give them an opportunity to be successful.”

Selma Police Chief John Brock said Muhannad made a lasting impression on the department and he will be hard to replace.

Brock said Lt. Sam Miller, who has been with the department for 15 years, is poised to take over the Criminal Investigations Division.