Rockford police chief to retire March 9

Submitted Photo

Rockford Police Chief, Bryan Stetler, announced his retirement effective March 9. Stetler has more than 25 years with the Rockford force.

ROCKFORD - After more than 25 years with the Rockford Police Department, Chief Bryan Stetler announced his retirement effective March 9.

During the village council's regular meeting, councilors approved a motion to accept his resignation while thanking him for his service.

"After 30 years in law enforcement, I've decided to retire as the police chief for the Village of Rockford," Stetler said after the council meeting. "I'm grateful for all the support the community has given me over the years. I wish the department nothing but the best as I transition into my new career working for Judge Matthew Fox as a bailiff for the Mercer County Common Pleas Curt General Division. My resignation will be effective on March 6."

After completing police academy in 1996, Stetler started with the department in 1997 as an auxiliary officer. He became a part-time officer in 1998, a full-time officer in 2002, sergeant in 2004 and then police chief in 2023.

When Stetler heard Mike Huber, the current bailiff, is retiring, he knew the opportunity and timing were right.

"It really was (the perfect opportunity) to make the transition because a lot of times in law enforcement, you get to retire at a young age, but you still have to have insurance, you still have to keep working," he said. "That's one of those jobs that I could work for quite a while, you know, change it up, new career."

Stetler said he has thought about retiring for about a year.

"I've been thinking about retiring here, I don't know, probably in the past year or so," he said. "Times have changed in the law enforcement community. Maybe I'm just getting older. I've had two back surgeries. It just takes its toll on you, physically and mentally, even in a small town."

Stetler said he is very excited for his new role while being scared not knowing what the future may hold.

"There's just been a lot that's happened over the years here, some good, some bad. I try to remember the good, the people I've helped along the journey. I will miss that. I'll miss the people of the community and everything, but, you know, as far as armed robberies and the murder we had here, things like that you'll never forget. Things happen in small communities, too."

It is unclear if council will open the position up to current officers, like it did when Parkway Local Schools SRO Paul May retired as chief to shift direction toward the school. When that positioned opened, Stetler applied and was hired.

Patrolman William Miller, who was at the council meeting, said he would be open to the chief position, if it becomes available.

Miller has 10 years of experience in Rockford and 23 years total. From 2003 to 2009, he was an auxiliary officer. In 2024, he applied again to become a patrolman.

In other business, council president Marcas Heitkamp said he would like council to look at updating the snow ordinance, specifically changing the requirement that a state of emergency from the mayor is needed to require vehicles be removed from street parking.

The update would stipulate that if the village received two or more inches of snow accumulation, street parking would be prohibited. Instead of just the mayor declaring the action, this update includes the village administrator and police chief having that power.

Council made and no moves and said it would discuss the issue more.

Council also met in executive discussion to discuss finances. When asked what would be specifically discussed under finances, village administrator Aaron temple said council is discussing a potential land transfer.

A public body may hold an executive session to consider the following matters: discussing employment or personnel; preparing for and engaging in collective bargaining sessions; talking about the purchase or sale of property for public purposes; discussing matters required to be kept confidential by law; discussing details of the security arrangements and emergency response protocols of a public body, if disclosure of those matters could jeopardize the security of the public body; conferring with legal counsel about pending or imminent court action involving the public body; or discussing trade secrets of a county hospital, joint township hospital or municipal hospital.

No action was anticipated.

Council meets next at 7:30 p.m. March 3 at the village hall.