A longtime member of the Scottsdale Police Department is hanging up his badge, but holding onto his bagpipes. During a formal ceremony Tuesday, the department honored Cmdr. David Marshall, retiring after 31 years with Scottsdale police. His last day on the job is Friday.

Lt. Johnny Cervantes will be promoted to fill Marshall's spot, effective March 30.

Marshall, the commander of Chief Alan Rodbell's office, internal affairs, public information, the DC Ranch substation and the three district patrol stations, has played the bagpipes for more than four years for the department's honor guard. The bagpipe band plays at special events and memorializes officers who have died.

A former reserve officer for the Flagstaff Police Department making $673 a month in 1973, Marshall began working for Scottsdale in 1976.

During his career, Marshall oversaw key projects for the department as the city grew - the construction of the police station at Pima Road and Thompson Peak Parkway and the implementation of a downtown patrol district.

"I've never regretted it," Marshall said about his career. "It was something I decided to do at a young age. Both of my parents worked in the medical field, and I said that looked too much like work. I will go thinking I can be replaced, but hoping I made a positive difference."

In retirement, Marshall said he plans to continue helping out the department as a volunteer and is expanding the honor guard band with the help of Scottsdale fire Capt. Jason D'Eliso.

The band has expanded from two to eight members in about a year's time, Marshall said.

"I promised Chief Rodbell I'd stay on as a volunteer and see the band come to fruition," Marshall said. "Jason D'Eliso prompted me to start a band a little more than a year ago. The interest was there."

The honor guard's band members practice every Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, and are fine-tuning themselves to play at the Arizona Peace Officer's Memorial Service at 7 p.m. May 5 at Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1500 W. Washington St., at the state Capitol.

Marshall said the band will be suited up and have the needed instruments for the service thanks to a $4,100 donation from the Scottsdale Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 35.

Marshall said he became interested in playing the bagpipes when he saw the University of Iowa marching band as a young boy.

He later learned how to play the bagpipes from Eric Landau, pipe major for the Mesa Police Department's honor guard, who also plays for Scottsdale's honor guard.

"It was something that clicked with me," Marshall said. "I've always loved the bagpipes. The hardest thing is to play the instrument itself.

"You have to learn how to play everything from memory while being able to coordinate the music and blow enough wind into the bag and stay in step."