Eastern Ohio residents learned this week that some key players in their community are taking on new roles and stepping away from the posts they have held in the public eye for several years.

I had the pleasure of sitting down for one last interview with outgoing Martins Ferry police chief John McFarland on Wednesday. The very next day, we received word the Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato also plans to retire at the end of June.

Both of these men have been key players in providing justice for the people of the county for a couple of decades. And both have focused on combating the illegal drug problem that has plagued many area residents.

I, too, have benefited from their presence within our justice system, having formed friendly relationships with them, building trust that went both ways and having the opportunity to draw on their vast expertise.

Although I covered the Purple City when I was a cub reporter and McFarland was a rookie cop, we did not know each other in those early days of our careers. I worked mostly mornings, while “Mac” was on midnight shift.

When it comes to Fregiato, I actually did cover his court cases on occasion, and I often found myself covering some community event or service project that he was a part of.

It wasn’t until I took the helm of The Times Leader newsroom in 2015, though, that I got the chance to know each of them well.

One of my first meetings with McFarland was related to a large drug bust he had headed up. As I asked questions about what officers had discovered, he quickly realized how naive I was about illegal drugs in general and about the status of the problem in our region. He patiently took the time to explain the trends I was unaware of and to describe various substances, their effects and the amounts involved.

As I was preparing to leave, he added another bit of advice: “You need to watch ‘Breaking Bad.'”

So I did — and I learned a lot.

Meanwhile, I had plenty of experience covering court — in West Virginia. I quickly realized that I did not have a good understanding of the structure of the court system in Ohio, so I asked Judge Fregiato for help.

Not only did he readily extend an invitation for me to come to his office to discuss the matter, but he took things a few steps further. When I arrived on the designated day, he had a complete lesson ready for me, right down to a printed guide and outline of the various courts and what types of matters they handle.

I still have those documents today.

Over the ensuing years, I have gotten to know both of these upstanding gentlemen even better. I have crossed paths with them when reporting on news stories, and I have participated alongside them during community service projects, club meetings and social events.

Here is what I have learned: Both are dedicated public servants. Both care deeply about children. Both are devoted to their communities. And they are both good people.

I certainly will miss working with both the judge and the chief on a regular basis. But I know that I am a better journalist and community member for having known them.

I wish you both all the best and hope that you will be happy, healthy and prosperous in your retirements.