AMARILLO, TEXAS -- After 33 years of service, Amarillo Fire Chief Steve Ross has announced his retirement.

Ross, who has been chief for 15 years, grew up in Amarillo and raised his family here.

He says he feels honored to have been given the opportunity to serve and protect the people he and his family love so much.

Ross is moving his family to Haltom City, he'll become fire chief there, and Tuesday, City Commissioners honored him for his years of service and dedication.

"The Commission thanked me today for my service, but I feel like I'm the one that should be thanking everybody for the opportunity. It was a calling for me to be a firefighter and work with some of the bravest people on the planet and for that I'll always be grateful, so I'll always have a place in my heart for Amarillo, citizens and our service here."

Chief Ross will be honored with a retirement reception this Friday at two o'clock at fire station number one.