On Tuesday, August 31, tourists and Twitter users in Times Square spotted something above the heads of the costumed characters and tour bus ticket sellers: a swarm of bees, taking up residence on a street pole at 47th Street and 6th Avenue.

But the NYPD’s official beekeeper for the last eight years, Officer Darren Mays, had retired just the day before. And he was not coming back for one last swarm.

“They called me for it, but I told them that I’m officially retired and my job is done!” Mays said.

WNYC's Danny Lewis spoke with Mays about his unique position in the NYPD. You can hear the full conversation by clicking the listen button at the top of the page.