Barry Blackburn — a peace officer considered by his peers as a cop’s cop — is retiring after 27 years and one month of serving and protecting the people of Manteca.

The accolades for Blackburn came Tuesday night at the Manteca City Council meeting from three police chiefs — current chief Nick Obligacion and his predecessors Charlie Halford and (Mayor) Willie Weatherford.

The mayor noted Blackburn was “a knight with a shining star” on the force back in 1987 as well as today.

Halford pointed out that Blackburn had served on every special unit in the department while Obligacion credited Blackburn with helping him become the officer he is today.

“It’s been the greatest show on earth,” Blackburn said of his 27 plus years working as a Manteca peace officer. “You’ve got a great community here, don’t you try to forget that. You have great men and women looking after you and you have a great command staff.