RUTHERFORD — Fifty-three years. Five police chiefs. One hundred sixty seven supervising officers. And 200,000 parking tickets.

That tally represents the six-decade career of Barbara Wootton, who retired from the Rutherford Police Department this month as the borough’s longest-serving employee. Joining the department in 1964, Wootton worked as a parking enforcement officer and substitute crossing guard.

Given the scope of Wootton’s impact — she issued an average of 3,774 tickets a year — it’s hard to find someone in Rutherford who wasn’t cited in her daily rounds at one point or another.

“I’ve gotten one or two from Mrs. Wootton for an alternative side or two,” Mayor Joe DeSalvo told The Record and North Jersey.com.

Rutherford resident Billy Neumann said that in all the times Wootton cited him, he was never in the right.

“You could never argue with Barbara when she pitched me a ticket,” Neumann said. "She was always right.”

Wootton, a familiar sight on Park Avenue, where she drove a scooter to make her rounds in recent years, was feted by the borough and her colleagues at an affair Friday that included a parade of department vehicles displaying flashing lights. Along with her precise command of the borough’s parking regulations, her peers said, Wootton always brought a warm smile and good spirits to the Rutherford Police Department.

“I can’t believe that so many years have passed,” Wootton said, adding that her co-workers were her favorite part of going to work. “I like people, and I enjoy the people from the department. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with so many nice people during my 53 years.”

A large group of retirees attended Wootton’s send-off — a testament to who she is and the impression she made, Police Chief John Russo said.

“She’s issued well over 200,000 tickets,” said Russo. “She was a wealth of knowledge, too. Whenever she gave me advice, she was always right.”

It wasn’t just delinquent meter-feeders who were on Wootton’s radar.

At police headquarters, she kept a swear jar, and people who used salty language would insert a dollar. Of course, the jar’s proceeds — anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on how many officers let the wrong words slip — would go to good causes. Last year it was given to the local animal shelter, and this year the Rutherford Food Pantry received the funds.

“You can never tell how much it will bring. It varies,” said Wootton. “My best customers know who they are. I won’t name them.”

On her 50th anniversary, Wootton was recognized by the mayor and Borough Council, who proclaimed Feb. 23, 2015, as Barbara Wootton Day.

She was also, fittingly, issued her own parking spot and parking meter.

“It was just the regular routine," she said. "Some mornings I would do the alternates, and other times, when they were short, I would do the school crossings. You meet a lot of nice people.”

This time of year is especially treasured.

Crossing people in the downtown as they went to the Rivoli Theater, now the Williams Center, and shopped in the decorated downtown was one of her favorite memories from over the years.

“It was great to see all the people there, and crossing them during the Christmas holidays,” said Wootton.

DeSalvo said he’s known Wootton since he was a kid.

“I give her a lot of credit for sticking with the borough for 53 years,” said DeSalvo. “She was out there every day in the weather, no matter what it was.”

Capt. Patrick Feliciano recalled how even on rough days, she always had words of encouragement for the officers.

“The warmth and happiness she brings to the work environment — we will all miss her,” Feliciano said.

Russo said it didn’t matter if she was asked to fill in for a crossing guard, she never complained.

“She’s always smiling and laughing. She will be missed tremendously, and was an asset to law enforcement, the borough and the department,” said Russo. “We’ll be the same Police Department, but it will be a different place.”

Email: grantm@northjersey.com