DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Police Chief David Brown, who oversaw the response to a July sniper attack that killed five officers, has announced his retirement.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown pauses at a prayer vigil following the deaths of five police officers during a Black Live Matter march on July 8, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Dallas Police Chief David Brown, who oversaw the response to a July sniper attack that killed five officers, has announced his retirement.

Brown issued a statement Thursday saying he will retire Oct. 22 after 33 years with Dallas police. He was not immediately available for additional comment.

Brown says he was prompted to become an officer in 1983 by a crack cocaine epidemic in a Dallas neighborhood. He was named police chief in 2010.

He's drawn criticism from Dallas police unions for not doing enough to retain many officers who have left for better pay elsewhere. But his leadership following the July 7 shooting deaths of the officers drew praise from President Barack Obama and others.