ROCKFORD Rockford Police Chief Dan O Shea is ready to hang up his gun and badge after a more than three-decade career in law enforcement marked by triumph and tragedy.
What he will do next is uncertain. But O Shea, 53, knows this much: He will work in the private sector for a time and it will have nothing to do with police work. After 32 years of policing, I will not do law enforcement anymore, O Shea said. I am done. I am tired.
O Shea plans to retire from law enforcement April 30 after a career that spanned five years as chief of the Rockford Police Department, 17 years in Elgin and nine years in Addison.
One of the things that makes me proud to be a Rockfordian is the constant support the majority of this community shows for first responders. We respect the sacrifices they make each and every day for their job, but sadly it takes a tragedy for us to really understand just how much danger they face.
When the news broke about the shooting at Don Carter Lanes back in December, our hearts broke. We mourned for the victims and their families, for the survivors forced to move past the terror they just experienced, and for the Don Carter staff and owners that had to overcome yet another huge hurdle during a horrible year.
Four Rockford Police Officers Receive Medal of Valor 97zokonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 97zokonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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When the month of April is over, Rockford Police Chief Dan O Shea will be retired. MyStateline
Chief O Shea set the table on when his position as Rockford Police Chief would end, when he first stepped into the position. I guess I shouldn t be surprised that a certain local t.v. station somehow turned this into a breaking news story, like it was something that he decided a week ago.the t.v. station never backed him anyway. Too busy digging deeper, I guess.
While the search is on for the next Rockford Chief of Police (or is it) I wanted to take this time to say thank you to Chief O Shea.
RPD Chief O Shea to Retire at the End of April 967theeagle.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 967theeagle.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.