Carbon County District Attorney Gary F. Dobias is retiring today after 23 years serving as top prosecutor.

To honor him Thursday, the Carbon County Commissioners presented Dobias with a resolution recognizing his work throughout his career.Commissioner William O'Gurek read the resolution and thanked Dobias for leading the prosecution of hundreds of cases that came through the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas, as well as for the friendship and support over the past 20 years.In the resolution, O'Gurek read, "Attorney Gary F. Dobias has succeeded immeasurably to the enhancement of law enforcement in Carbon County municipalities by establishing himself as a prosecutor who is and has been tough on crime, and who has held the highest professional standards of his profession."(His) work did not and will not go unnoticed within the County of Carbon," he continued, saying that Dobias has served as president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, a member of the board of directors for Pennsylvania State Police Troop N's Camp Cadet, and as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency."It has always been a pleasure working with you," Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman, said."It's a happy day for Gary, but a sad day for the county," Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard added. "We wish you the very, very best in your retirement."Dobias was touched by commissioners' words and thankful for a dedicated staff over the last three decades."I really enjoyed the past 34 years in the district attorney's office, especially the last 23 as district attorney," he said. "It's been a job I loved. Not too many people can say that so I consider myself fortunate. But I also realize I am looking forward to things slowing down a little bit to a little more relaxed pace."Passing the torchDobias acknowledged his staff for making the office run as smoothly as it did; and said they will be in good hands as 1st Assistant District Attorney Jean A. Engler takes her new role as district attorney this afternoon."Jean has 25 plus years in the office, so the office won't miss a step," he said.Engler, who will become the first female district attorney in Carbon County's history after she is sworn in, said that she "has big shoes to fill.""Gary was loved by everyone here in the county. He was loved by this office, and even everyone who he dealt with in the courts," she said."It's an honor to be the first female district attorney in Carbon County," she added. "This is very exciting yet it will be daunting."Memorable casesOver the last three decades Dobias has led the charge against crime in the courtroom on hundreds of cases, prosecuting criminal cases on the county, state and federal levels.But Dobias said that his one of the most memorable cases he prosecuted happened only a few years ago.It included successfully prosecuting Ernest Troy Freeby of Lansford after he was charged with murdering his estranged wife, Edwina Onyango in 2007.Onyango's body was never found, but through strong testimony, solid evidence and Dobias' prosecuting Freeby was convicted and sentenced to life without parole."State police did an excellent job with the case," he said, noting that homicide cases, especially when there is no body, are challenging.Life after retirementIn the weeks following retirement, Dobias will not be seen lounging around.He will still be found in the courtroom, arguing cases that have been weaving through the system for years.On Aug. 7, the Carbon County Salary Board established the position of a special assistant district attorney, an unpaid position, which will be filled by Dobias.At that meeting, Dobias said that the reason for volunteering his time after retirement is because there are about a dozen cases that he has been prosecuting for years that he wants to see through to the end."Some are major cases; some are very old, more than 10 years; some are in various stages of the criminal justice system, in the federal system, in the state system," he said. "It would be very difficult for someone new to handle those cases."There are some cases that never go away," he added.