One of Norman's finest -- in the most legitimate sense of the word -- has retired from the police department after a 35-year career.

A retirement reception to honor Master Police Officer Robert Post was attended Friday by several hundred police officers, city officials and area residents.

"Bob has been an asset to this city in many ways, but particularly by his passion for traffic safety to save lives," said Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten. "He has worked well with other city departments and officials, the media, schools, businesses, churches and any citizens who needed his advice or expertise."

Cotten said Post became interested in traffic safety and accident reconstruction early in his career, which led to the training and experience necessary to become an expert in the field of traffic accident reconstruction.

"He is meticulous in his work and his reputation is such that he is seldom challenged in court. He is nationally certified and a true expert in the field of accident investigations," Cotton said.

Traffic Engineer Angelo Lombardo said Post, with his experience and expertise, will be irreplaceable.

"You don't replace a person like Bob," Lombardo said. "With the experience he has, I'd venture to say he's the best in the state."

Post is a perfectionist, Lombardo said. "You have to be for the information to mean anything later."

Lombardo said accident reconstruction work doesn't end at the site of the accident. The information Post gathers, analyzes and disseminates helps traffic engineers to "make decisions on safety and the projects we fund."

Post has taught Law Enforcement Driver Training -- one of the first in the state to teach in municipalities. He has served in the patrol division, traffic unit, and as a traffic accident specialist. He has supervised the department's parking service officers.

Post also has been actively involved with Safety Town, a program which began in 1971 at Sooner Mall and teaches kids about bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Lombardo said Post has been a major resource of information for traffic safety, public works projects, engineering and many other city concerns.

"He audits reports for accuracy, keeps statistical information, prepares numerous reports and provides significant advice," he said.

Lt. Jim Keesee called Post a "close friend" who will be missed by people in "all the city departments."

"I don't think people are going to realize how much he does until after he's gone," Keesee said.

Post said he'll "miss the people I've been working with for 35 years" -- people in city departments and residents of the city.

"I have enjoyed helping families throughout the years who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents," he said.

In those situations, Post said being able to provide family members with information concerning "why and how the collision occurred hopefully gives them some way of helping to deal with their grief."

One of the retirement gifts presented to Post at the reception was a directional sign with arrows detailing the distances from Norman to Seattle, New York and France.

Post plans to take some time off before traveling to those places. Post was born in New York, and said he wants to return to Whidbey Island to visit old friends.

He's twice been to France, and is excited about going back, he said.

And Post said he looks forward to visiting his mother and sister and brother-in-law, all who live in Seattle.

Post met his wife Pam when she began working as a records clerk for the department, and the two married in 1981. They have two daughters, Myla, a senior at Oklahoma State University and Mara, a freshman at the University of Texas.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com