They do when they started at 18 and work every bit of overtime they can. That was all before she met him. The few years before he retired after 35 years in, he was the guy that filled in for the top guy in the city whenever that guy went on vacation, so he was making a good amount, and his retirement pay is almost $300k a year, not including all the benefits, just pay.
I'm sure if you put in a few years and get out you probably don't make much without overtime, but if you stick with it until retirement age and play the politics game you can make a lot.
Was the retirement split in the divorce? I could see it being considered community property if they earned it while they were married.