Sudden Departure For Western Springs Police Official

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – On May 1, Western Springs Deputy Police Chief Daniel Albrecht informed his boss he was resigning. It was on a Sunday.

"Per our conversation yesterday, I am writing this email to serve for the purpose of my resignation effective immediately," he said to Police Chief Brian Budds.

On Friday morning, the village released Albrecht's three-sentence resignation letter. It was in response to Patch's public records request.

Albrecht's Facebook page links to a GoFundMe effort raising money for him and his family, saying Albrecht is suffering from cancer.

The page said he started his battle in 2020 against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"We all thought it was over after he completed 6 initial rounds of chemo and immune therapy," the page said. "Unfortunately, we were informed that his cancer returned and is now diagnosed with Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma."

In the resignation letter, Albrecht asked the chief to let him know whether anything else was required. He said he would contact the village's business office for additional paperwork.

The document provided by the village was undated, but the village's spokeswoman, Selmin Cicek, confirmed it was sent May 1.

Albrecht joined the police department 22 years ago. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2017.

News of Albrecht's departure was apparently slow in reaching the Village Board.

At Monday's board meeting, Trustee Scott Lewis, who heads the public safety committee, said the board learned of the news earlier that day. The meeting was eight days after Albrecht's resignation.

On Monday, Patch contacted Village Hall about Albrecht's status. In an email, Cicek confirmed Albrecht had retired as of May 1 and that the village planned to release a statement soon. It did so hours later.

She has declined to comment on Albrecht, saying the village did not discuss personnel issues.

Budds has not returned a call for comment.

In a message to Patch on Friday afternoon, Albrecht said, "I have been battling cancer since 2020, and it is progressing. I wasn't looking for a story or any send-off, but I appreciate the contact."

A few days ago, Albrecht's daughter set up the GoFundMe page for him.

"This aggressive cancer requires intense and critical treatment this summer and throughout the next year," the page said.

Albrecht responded to the effort Thursday.

"I did not know my daughter was going to set anything like this up," he said in a message. "I am absolutely humbled from all of the prayers and support from everyone and including people who I have never met."

As of Friday, more than $3,300 had been raised.