OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich — For the last 40 years, when bad news calls, Mary Allman has picked up.
“She’s saved lives over the phone," said Allman's husband, Kevin. "She’s delivered babies over the phone."
That is, until the only remaining original Ottawa County Sheriff's Office dispatcher decided it was time to hang up once and for all.
“It was not just my job, it was my calling," said Mary. “I knew it from day one, I was in the right place."
Now 36 years later, she's made countless radio calls from that same place.
“I’ve done a lot of sendoffs over my career," said Mary.
“A sendoff is kind of like an acknowledgment of the service that you've given over the radio channel for everybody on duty to hear," explained Kevin, "It's typically a recap of your career, and bidding a good farewell from the team."
None has been more difficult than her husband’s. He was a deputy who retired from the Sheriff's Office himself in 2016.
“I was very touched. And I wanted to do the same for Mary," said Kevin.
“I was hearing from the guys ‘when’s your sendoff? When’s your sendoff?’ and I was like ‘no, we don’t do sendoffs for dispatchers,'" said Mary.
But on the very last hour of her very last day came in a call — that would be a first.
“All the sudden over the radio I heard ‘County Badge 120,'" said Mary. “That’s him, Kevin. What’s he doing on the radio?”
“My heart was pounding. I was so shocked," she said.
"I'd like to recognize someone whose commitment and dedication to the Ottawa County community has been a beacon of hope and support for nearly four decades..." began Kevin through the radio.
“I had thought about this for several months prior to her retirement how that could happen," he said.
He had to get permission from manager after manager, including the Sheriff himself, Steve Kempker (all were happy to help, especially Kempker, who soon presented Mary with a plaque making her an honorary deputy).
Kevin got to commandeer one of his old police cruisers and use the radio to speak to his wife.
"Mary Allman, who has served as an Ottawa County Emergency dispatcher since 1987, has decided to hang up the headset today. For 36 years, Mary has been the calming voice on the other end of the line providing assistance, reassurance and hope during the most trying times," he continued.
“It was kind of emotional for me to do it too because at the time, I was reflecting on what she did for me," said Kevin.
"Mary's career began with the sheriff's department at a time when emergency response systems were in their infancy. The last of the original still working the floor since the foundation of our County Central Dispatch Authority, she has played an integral role in shaping the way our community responds to crisis," he said.
“There’s so many things that she’s done as a radio operator, dispatcher, friend, coworker, it really is very special to have her," said Kevin. “Happy to bring tears to her eyes on that occasion.”
"She has been the constant force behind countless success stories ensuring that help, arrives swiftly and lives are saved," said Kevin, who was also tearful.
It was a sendoff for a career coming to an end from a love that’s lasted the ages.
"You will be missed. Thank you Mary for your incredible commitment. We celebrate you today and wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement," he ended.
“That makes it all worth it," smiled Mary.
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