Longtime Western Springs Police Officer Retires

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Western Springs Police Department is marking the retirement of Sgt. John Piest, who started with the department 24 years ago. "He was a valuable and respected member of our police department and will be missed," the department said in a Facebook post.

Piest officially retired Thursday. For the last dozen years, he has been a sergeant. He has served in the patrol and detective divisions and held various titles, including firearms instructor and youth peer jury program coordinator. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command.

At the department's annual law enforcement awards in January, Piest took home awards for DUI and Speeding Enforcement.