What is end of watch meaning?

The phrase "end of watch" typically refers to the official end of a police officer's shift. It is a radio code used by law enforcement to signify that an officer has completed their shift and is logging out of their patrol car or radio. The term originated from the practice of clocking in and out of a watchman's job, where the officer would receive a watch to signify the start of their shift and return it at the end to signify the end of their watch. However, the term can also be used more somberly in law enforcement to refer to the end of a fellow officer's life, often used at the end of a funeral or memorial service to signify the end of the officer's duty.