LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Three Lincoln police captains with a combined total of 123 years of experience have retired within a three-week period.

David Beggs, Kim Koluch and Doug Srb left the Lincoln Police Department this year after starting their careers in the 1960s and late 1970s.

The captains spent 46, 36 and 42 years on the police force, respectively. Koluch was commander of the center team, which includes downtown Lincoln, when she retired. Beggs and Srb were both duty commanders just before their retirement.

The three captains elected five years ago to be a part of a deferred retirement option program, which allowed the department time to find replacements.

During their careers, Lincoln’s population increased 60 percent, and the number of officers went from 122 to 322.