District Attorney Jim Martin announced the retirement of a long-serving law enforcement officer. Colleen Gilbert retired from her position as a Lehigh County Detective effective Thursday.

Detective Gilbert has served in that capacity since July 14, 1997. While employed in the District Attorney’s Office, Gilbert primarily worked as an investigator in the Domestic Violence unit.

Gilbert began working in law enforcement when female officers were uncommon. Gilbert started her career in 1976 at age 19, graduating in the first class of the Philadelphia Police Academy to accept women. She served with that department until 1981. After working in Philadelphia, Gilbert moved to the Tampa Police Department, where she remained for 15 years.

During her nearly 23-year tenure with the District Attorney’s Office, Gilbert investigated domestic violence cases and gave support to victims.

She dealt with thousands of victims and provided expertise in handling the unique issues involved with those impacted by domestic violence. In addition, she kept statistics for the unit, noting the number and type of domestic violence cases in a calendar year, which totaled 861 in 2019.

On Nov. 12, 2019, Gilbert received the 33rd annual Col. John K. Schafer Memorial Award. The Schafer Award is named in honor of a former Pennsylvania State Police commissioner who had a 23-year career with state police, part of which was with Troop M-Bethlehem.