Eighth Circuit State Attorney Bill Cervone did not want a fuss made over his retirement after 20 years in office and another 20 or so as a prosecutor.
But he and longtime chief assistant Jeanne Singer got a surprise send-off Friday morning in true COVID-19 fashion.
A police car drive-by, with lights and sirens, paraded past Cervone and Singer as they sat on the tailgate of a pickup truck behind the office in downtown Gainesville. Staffers and friends from the legal community joined in.
“It was unexpected. We struggled with not being able to do anything because of COVID, so this is very meaningful,” Cervone said. “I really appreciate everybody doing this. I’m not into self-congratulations.”