ROCKFORD Police Chief Dan O Shea on Tuesday announced that he will retire April 30 after five years leading the Rockford Police Department.
O Shea said in a news release that he is proud of the progress the department has made during his tenure.
“My goal when I came to Rockford in 2016 was to focus on building relationships while reducing crime, O Shea said. We are doing that. We are making an incredible and tangible impact with our ROCK Houses and our programs for the area’s youth, and I know that will continue after my retirement.”
O Shea is credited f improving the city s fractured relationship with the union representing Rockford police officers and improving department morale. He made an effort to improve relationships between police and community while asking law enforcement to focus on the worst offenders deemed responsible for violence in the city.
O Shea s plan was also to focus law enforcement on capturing, prosecuting and convicting the city s most violent criminals. O Shea did not hesitate to work with the Rockford City Council to acquire more officers and resources.
That plan of engagement, beefing up the number of police officers, investing in police technology and focusing on the worst offenders, appeared effective until the pandemic struck during a tumultuous 2020.
Efforts to maintain and improve relationships ground to a halt in 2020 because of COVID-19. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody led to contentious and at times violent clashes with protesters in Rockford. A violent gang battle claimed dozens of lives.
An Army special forces sergeant pleaded not guilty Friday to murder and other charges in the killing of three people and wounding of three others during a mass shooting at an Illinois bowling alley.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLS) Hundreds gathered outside a Rockford bowling alley Saturday night to remember the victims of a deadly shooting Christmas weekend.
Three people were killed and three others were hurt in what appears to be a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes.
At Saturday s vigil, the general manager of the bowling alley praised the staff working at the time of the shooting.
Duke Webb, a U.S. serviceman from Florida has been charged in a shooting.
37 year-old Duke Webb facing murder charges.
The active U.S. Army member accused of shooting 6 people, killing 3 at the Don Carter Lanes & restaurant in Rockford.
Watch now: Family of suspect in Rockford shooting expresses condolences thesouthern.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thesouthern.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.