After 41 years and eight months, "The Silver Fox'' is standing down.
Sergeant Paul Knox - known as "PK'' to his colleagues - has been a fixture in the prosecuting hot seat at the Dunedin District Court for the past couple of decades and retires today.
But yesterday he sat in the less comfortable seat of the witness box.
Rather than a fiery cross-examination, though, Sgt Knox had only to endure a barrage of compliments.
The ever-effervescent defence lawyer, Rhona Daysh, accepted the "charming prosecutor'' did not want a fuss; but that was not going to stop her.
"He is hard-working, thorough, calm, composed, level-headed, fair, even-handed, personable, considerate, good-looking, chivalrous, courteous, honourable, thoughtful, reflective, reliable, attentive, caring, obliging and considerate,'' and that was only the beginning.
There was no dirt dished, simply because there was none.
"He's just too good to be true,'' Ms Daysh said.
Crown prosecutor Robin Bates concurred.
"I can't think of anything bad to say.''
Sgt Knox, who received the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his bravery at Aramoana in 1990, said he gave up front-line policing for prosecutions because he thought "it would be a nice way to take a step back''.
The comment drew laughter from members of the legal fraternity who packed the court to see him off.
"It's actually a different adversary you're dealing with,'' Sgt Knox said.
Judge John Macdonald, who was yesterday joined on the bench by Judge Dominic Flatley, admitted being a "co-conspirator'' in arranging yesterday's special court sitting.
He knew Sgt Knox shunned the limelight but said it would have been wrong not to publicly acknowledge his service.
"I think you can look back on your days as a prosecutor with pride,'' the judge said.
"You had the respect of all the judges and you were well liked by the court staff, which I guess is the acid test.''
Sgt Knox, Dunedin born and bred, will retire in Central Otago with his wife, Heather.
In his final words, he thanked her and forced back the tears.
"It's been great,'' he said.
