I don’t know a lot about pensions. However, in 1997, pensions in the private sector have to be fully vested within 5-7 years. They were also not available to settle lawsuits, IIRC.
However the amount would vary with each additional year. Now the other thing is age. Some pensions state that to get full retirement, your age plus years of service should be equal to 85. Hence age 55 + 20 yrs equals 85-would be eligible for full benefits.
Retirement with only 19 years would not be. Exactly what McCabe can get and at what age depends on the rules of the pension plan that he participated in.
However, there could be some additional legalities regarding government officials who have taken an oath, and I have no knowledge of that.
https://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/170.cfm
without reaching 20 years or age 50 under FERS law enforcement he is not eligible for an immediate retirement but still eligible for a reduced deferred pension at a later age.
55+20 = 75
:-) Time to get some sleep?