Capitol Police Chief Matthew R. Verderosa announced Wednesday that he will retire from the force on May 31, after a 34-year career in law enforcement and three years leading the force.

“One of the proudest days of my life was when I was sworn-in as Chief of Police. I want to thank the Capitol Police Board for giving me the opportunity to lead the employees of the United States Capitol Police. Leading the Department has been the capstone of my career. It has been an honor to serve the Congress and the Department since September 12, 1986,” he wrote in a letter to the Capitol Police Board.

Verderosa was promoted to chief in February 2016 and started his career in 1985 with the Supreme Court police before moving over to Capitol Police.

He worked as a beat cop in the uniformed and patrol divisions, and as a detective within the department’s Protective Services Bureau before he was promoted to sergeant in 1992.

Verderosa has conducted criminal and administrative investigations in the Internal Affairs Division and served in a series of high-level administrative roles, overseeing the Training Services Bureau and the offices of Human Resources and Administration.

Before becoming assistant chief, Verderosa commanded the department’s Disciplinary Review Task Force on behalf of the Capitol Police’s Executive Team.

“We express our sincere gratitude for his service and wish him a long and happy retirement,” House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren and ranking member Rodney Davis said in a joint statement.

“The Committee looks forward to working closely with the Capitol Police Board as the group conducts a thorough and extensive search for qualified candidates to serve as the next Chief of Police,” they said.

“The Department is grateful to Chief Verderosa for his 33 years of dedicated service in support of our mission. As the 9th Chief of Police, he has had a great impact on the success of our operations and he leaves behind a great legacy of outstanding policing and public service. We will miss him and wish him well in his well-earned retirement,” said Steven A. Sund, assistant chief of police.