Longtime Darien Police Official Retiring

DARIEN, IL — Sgt. Jim Topel retired from the Darien Police Department after more than 35 years of service to the city, according to a news release.

Topel had various assignments throughout his career, including training officer, detective, juvenile specialist, firearms instructor, crisis negotiator and sergeant for 15 years.

During Topel’s career, he earned a commendation from the Lisle Police Department for his help with a suicidal person who threatened to jump off a bridge in 2015, the news release said.

In 2010, he received a commendation from the Darien Police Department for his negotiation skills in dealing with an armed and barricaded suspect, the city said.

Topel received numerous letters of thanks from the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Team for his service as an evaluator during crisis response scenarios, as well as many letters of appreciation from citizens and other local police departments, the release said.