After a quarter-century of service to the residents of Gurnee, Police Chief Brian Smith has announced his retirement from the department.
“Serving this community has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” Smith said. “My passion has been to serve others. While I will continue to do so in new ways, I feel deep gratitude and emotion as I close this chapter in my career.
“I am profoundly honored to have worked alongside such dedicated professionals and to have served the residents of Gurnee for the past six-plus years as police chief,” he said.
Smith joined the GPD in 2000 and rose through the ranks, serving as a patrol sergeant, commander, and then deputy chief before assuming the top job in 2019. His last day on the job will be Dec. 1.
“Throughout his entire career and time as chief, Brian has led with integrity, humility, selflessness and a genuine desire to serve others,” Mayor Tom Hood said. “He stressed integrity, customer service, transparency and technology, all aimed at improving relationships and increasing public safety and the safety of Gurnee’s officers.”
During his tenure, the number of officers on the force has risen from 62 to 72, and the number of women, veterans and diverse officers has risen to 54, according to the village. GPD has also sought to increase community engagement through several initiatives. Smith has also been a leader in public safety organizations, including two terms as head of the county’s police chiefs organization.
The mayor said he will seek to have Deputy Chief Jeremy Gaughan appointed as Smith’s replacement.
Officer hurt
A Lake County sheriff’s officer was injured in a car accident recently near Ingleside.
The officer was hurt on Oct. 4 at around 3:30 p.m. on Illinois Route 134 near Main Street. As the officer approached the intersection, a motorist headed south on Main Street pulled into the intersection to attempt a U-turn. The front bumper of the motorist’s SUV collided with the officer’s squad car.
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The collision caused the squad car to hit a third vehicle. The driver of the SUV and his passenger received minor injuries. The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment and was released, police said. The third motorist was not hurt.
Police found open liquor in the SUV and said impairment may have been a factor in the crash.
Suspect flees
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested a teen who tried to flee from officers and was armed with a handgun.
The incident started at about 7:40 p.m. on Oct. 4 when an officer clocked a vehicle going 80 mph – 40 mph over the speed limit – on Sheridan Road in Beach Park.
The driver, a 17-year-old Beach Park boy, tried to flee, but the officer found the car parked in a lot along Sheridan in Zion. The driver was taken into custody but the passenger, another 17-year-old boy, tried to run away.
An officer caught the youth, and while taking him into custody the officer found a pistol with an extended magazine in the teen’s waistband.
Both youths were petitioned to juvenile court. Police said a Dodge Dakota appeared to be traveling with their vehicle, and police are attempting to identify its occupants.
Gun at game
A man was taken into custody for bringing a firearm to a Highland Park High School football game on Oct. 3, School District 113 said in a letter from the school superintendent.
The weapon was detected by a canine team working the game, the district said.
The man had a license for concealed carry, but firearms are not permitted on school grounds. He was removed without incident, the district said.
“Although today’s events are deeply concerning, I want to extend my gratitude to the K9 team, the rest of District 113 security, and the Highland Park Police Department for their immediate action,” Superintendent Chala Holland wrote in the letter. “Because of their swift response, our students, staff and guests were able to have an uninterrupted experience at the game.”