HAMPTON - Retired Hampton Police Lt. Bill Lally will be the featured guest at a retirement celebration in his honor this Friday, Jan. 24, at the Ashworth Hotel on Ocean Boulevard at Hampton Beach.

The dinner celebration will start at 6 p.m. Several speakers have been invited to share their thoughts on Lally's career, including Police Chief Bill Wrenn.

Lally retired late last year after a 28-year career with the Hampton Police Force, working his way up from a part-time officer to full-time detective and finally to a lieutenant. Lally has recently embarked on a new career, as the director of training with the Lowell (Mass.) Police Department.

"Bill was a great guy to have around. He was up beat and had a great sense of humor. We'll miss him here," said Capt. Jamie Sullivan, who worked with Lally for many years.

Tickets to Friday's festivities are $30 per person, and can be obtained by contacting the prosecutor's office at the Hampton Police Department, at 926-4444.