It's the end of an era in Tampa as Tampa Police Department Chief Jane Castor serves her last day on the job.

Chief Castor welcomed her final group of new officers on Friday.

"I must say that this is a bittersweet moment for me," she said as she spoke to the officers and their families at a swearing-in ceremony.

As one of her final acts as chief, she assigned badges and took pictures. Those who know her best say the Chief will be missed.

"Her kindness and her humble leadership was I think her strongest trait where I think she really cared about people and wanted to make sure things were done the right way," said Tampa Police Assistant Chief Brian Dugan.

After her final shift, the city held a retirement party in the Chief's honor at the Tampa Convention Center.

Chief Castor was appointed by former Mayor Pam Iorio who said the two bonded after they led the community through a difficult period which included the murders of two police officers and the manhunt for their killer.

"What I saw was a leader who was there for her troops, was going to stand by them and was going to do whatever it took to bring justice," said Iorio.

Castor told the audience that serving as chief has been an honor.

"When I'm asked what the best day for me was in 31 years, it's everyday I come to work," she said.

Castor said she is proud of what the department has accomplished, but she said it's not up to her to decide whether she's been "successful." She said that is up to the community.

"But one thing I can guarantee you is I did my best," she said. "I gave it my best during those 31 years."

Castor received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Bay News 9 tags along on the Chief's monthly family lunch

Before she officially retired, Bay News 9 joined the Chief and her long-time partner Ana Cruz for the Castor's monthly family lunch. The siblings joked about their sister Jane's climb to the top.

Riding along with Chief Castor, it's hard for her not to joke about her two sons. They've been asking about her life after retiring.

"They said, 'What are you going to do, spend all your time with us?' " she said. "I said, 'Yeah, everybody will be like, "Who's the crazy lady in the corner?' "

Castor has come a long way from where she started, as a 24-year-old who patrolled the streets of South Tampa.

Castor said she wanted to go into the federal service, but in 1984 President Ronald Reagan put a freeze on federal jobs. Some of her college buddies suggested she become a Tampa police officer instead. Castor started off on the midnight shift.

"Boy I tell you, the people you would meet on midnight were something you certainly didn't see during the day," Castor said. "It was nothing on a Friday or Saturday night, to be holding 20-30 calls. You just went from one call to the next and you just never knew what the next call was going to hold."

Over 31 years, she rose through the ranks to become chief of police.

Her sisters and brothers couldn't be more of her accomplishments, even if they have a hard time admitting it.

"They never thought I would amount to anything, that is the truth," she said, laughing.

"I mean I always looked up to her 'til I was about 17 and I outgrew her," said her brother Kelly Castor.

With the Castors, there's always lots of jokes and laughter.

"Jane's always funny, no matter what, even when she's trying to be serious, she's funny," Kelly Castor said.

When asked if she was a leader growing up, the family joked, "Are you kidding me? He had to teach her how to ride a stick horse and you want to know if she was a leader."

The Castor family is well-known in Tampa and not just because of the chief. The family's cabinetry business, Castor Cabinets Inc., has been located in the city for almost 40 years.

"I've done every position in the cabinet shop," Castor said.

Chief Castor built cabinets while attending the University of Tampa, but sports was her passion. She got a full ride scholarship to UT for basketball and volleyball.

Her family teases her about that too.

"Actually, her brother and I taught her everything she knows about basketball on the court out back," said Kelly Castor.

At the University of Tampa, Castor showed off her skills and reminisced on the past.

"We were the only team that could get rained out of an indoor basketball game," she said. "It was horrible, it was horrible."

The sports star made quite the impression. She's even in UT's Hall of Fame. We joined Castor as she saw the display for the first time.

When asked about her smile she said, "You have to [smile]. That's what I tell everybody. It's a requirement to be a police officer. You have to have a sense of humor, that's for sure."

Castor said her humor is how she got through those stressful days of being a police officer. She also credits the gym.

"For me, you know I've always been involved in athletics, and the gym is kind of my stress reliever," Castor said.

Now, after decades, Castor will take off her police uniform.

"I really think that's going to be the biggest adjustment," Castor said.

But through her new foundation, Rise Tampa - Our Police Foundation, Castor will continue to help the department by providing supplies that are not funded by the city budget.

It's just one way she plans to spend all that free time.

"Actually what I want to do is read for pleasure," she said. "Now, all the reading I do is associated with work in some shape or form."

And although Castor has long left the street patrol, she said she'll never forget where she came from.