It was a bittersweet day at the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office as Detective Mike Ryan finished the last day of his 26 year career with the department.

Starting out working in the jail for the MCSO in 1992, Ryan transitioned from his previous job at Dillon State Park as a Wildlife Officer. After just a few years, Ryan transitioned from the jail to patrol and eventually to the rank of detective in the narcotics unit. In 1997, Ryan took on the role of general case detective, the same position he would hold for the rest of his career.

During his 21 years as a general case detective, Ryan was behind several high profile cases in Muskingum County.

“He has a lot to be proud of,” said Ryan’s wife, Alana.

In 2002, Ryan handled the case of Jennifer Bryant, a Muskingum University student who gave birth to her son at a campus house and disposed of his body in a dumpster. Bryant was sentenced for involuntary manslaughter, endangering children and abuse of a corpse.

Another case of Ryan’s that made national headlines, including a special feature on Dateline NBC, was the 2014 homicide investigation of Brandy Daniels.

The case took two years to pull together with cooperation between multiple agencies.

“It’s just a tribute to him,” said Sheriff Matt Lutz. “It was probably one of the longest cases that any detective has ever had to work in the history of the sheriff’s office, and it’s probably one of the most complex we’ve ever had, and the end result is Mike got two people put behind bars that definitely deserved it.”

Solving the case was especially fulfilling for Ryan, who thinks of all that Daniels and her family had to endure, rather than the national spotlight he received in the aftermath from the TV special.

“It’s very rewarding when you finally do get a case and see justice brought for victims,” said Ryan.

But what Ryan will miss most about the job are the people he met along the way. His wife described it as a unique sense of family at the sheriff’s office.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with him,” said Lutz. “Mike’s very easy to get along with. He’s always been very good to work with.”

Referring to cases around the country where police officers have made poor choices that negatively impacted their departments, Lutz said that was never a concern with Ryan.

“You never had to worry about that with Mike. He’s got an impeccable record,” said Lutz. “His integrity is very high, and he’s always had a good reputation as far as honesty and integrity.”

Over the years, Ryan served as a mentor to new detectives and young deputies as they became acclimated to their jobs.

“He’s been a lot of experience there for those guys to lean on,” said Lutz.

Some of the biggest changes Ryan adapted to were centered around technology, as he began his career when computers were first being introduced to law enforcement and ended with technology so advanced that it could both help and hinder investigations.

After years of hard work and mental exhaustion, Ryan said he is looking forward to taking a break.

“These days are kind of bittersweet because you’re losing an employee that has been a good employee and that’s done a great job for the sheriff’s office and for the county,” said Lutz. “But it’s also very rewarding to know that one of our guys completed a career, and he’s able to retire. He’s able to walk away in good health.”

Ryan’s wife said she is looking forward to partnering with her husband in their new business venture, a dream and goal that Lutz said Ryan will now be able to dedicate the time to.

“We just wish him the best and told him not to be a stranger and to make sure he stops in to say hi and wished him good luck on his future endeavors,” said Lutz.