From left, Vienna Patrolman Carl Powell, Chief Mike Pifer, and Mayor Randy Rapp discuss Pifer’s retirement prior to the Vienna City Council meeting Thursday. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)

VIENNA — Vienna Police Chief Mike Pifer announced his retirement ahead of the regularly scheduled Vienna City Council meeting Thursday evening.

Pifer’s last day will be May 21. He said serving as the police chief had been an honor and described Vienna as “the best place to be.”

“It’s bittersweet for sure,” he said.

“We’re going to miss him a lot,” Mayor Randy Rapp said of Pifer. “They don’t make guys like Mike anymore.”

Rapp said Patrolman Carl Powell will replace Pifer as police chief.

“(Powell) has 19 years experience with the Vienna Police Department. He’s had extensive military background training and he’s a guy that can fill Mike’s shoes very well,” he said

Powell said he may not be like longtime police Chief Gary Deem, who was in the position for 37 years.

“I have not had the honor to work with Chief Deem. I know many of you in this room know him,” he said. “I won’t be able to fill those shoes, they are too big, but I’ll do my best,”

Kristen Hainkel can be reached at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com