There was a big sendoff Thursday. Langford has had a lot of memorable moments on the job.
For decades, he's been the Chicagoan who has been on the scene with reliable information of the most dire situations. ABC7 viewers have likely seen him on air from time to time.
It took two days for Langford to clean out his office after 25 years at the Chicago Fire Department. However, much of his time at CFD wasn't in the office, it was at the scenes of fires and accidents.
"If it's been tragic in Chicago, I've probably been at it," Langford said. "I was at Flight 191 the Midway plane crash the Paxton Hotel fire where so many people died... so I've seen a lot."
As the Director of Media Affairs, he was the one person journalists could count on for the real deal at fire scenes. After all, he had been on the other side. Langford started in radio as a teenager in Englewood.
"A good PIO may not tell you everything, but a good one won't lie to you, because the lies will come back to get you," Langford said.
In 2000, he transitioned to work for the city of Chicago. He was familiar with City Hall as his mother Anna Langford was the first African-American woman elected to Chicago's City Council. He remembers going to work with his mom as an attorney and checking out fire scenes.
Admittedly afraid of heights, Langford never dream he could have a career at CFD.
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"He's had a life of service with the Chicago Fire Department," CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said. "He's been with OEMC. He's also notable because of his voice... the voice of our graduation and promotional ceremonies we've ever had."
"I told her AI can replace m, but if so I want a cut," Langford said jokingly. "This has been the best job of all I've had. Over the last 60 years, this has been the best... I've met a lot of good people, done, I hope, some good things, helped some folks out understanding what's going on, and I feel good helping people on the other side where I was."
Langford, a father and grandfather, said he may be retired, but he won't ever be far from a fire scanner. He said he will continue running his radio station in Michigan and consulting for other radio stations.