Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew used Thursday night’s city council meeting to announce his retirement. His final day on the job will be June 28, but he will officially leave the payroll on July 6.
Crew has been with the Keokuk Police Department for 25 years. He worked his way through the ranks, serving as patrol officer, captain and assistant chief along the way.
Crew has led the department for the last seven years.
His time in local law enforcement also included a stint as commander of the Lee County Narcotics Task Force.
Crew says this is the right time for him to leave the world of law enforcement. He says the department is in good hands and it is not being targeted for cuts or lay-offs.
A letter from Crew was also presented to the Keokuk City Council during the meeting. In it, he said, “I am so very grateful for such a fulfilling career in which I was allowed the ability to help make a difference for the citizens of Keokuk.”
He goes on to write “I will be leaving with many fond memories of my years with the City of Keokuk and the many friends I have made.”
Crew says his most memorable case involved a methamphetamine distribution ring that stretched across multiple states as well as Mexico.
The task of hiring a new police chief is expected to get underway next week as the Keokuk Civil Service Commission is scheduled to meet on Monday.
