Youker Named Wheaton's Next Police Chief Amid Murphy's Retirement

WHEATON, IL — The Wheaton Police Department didn't have to look too far to find someone to take over the mantle when Chief Bill Murphy retires in September. The city announced Monday that Deputy Police Chief Princeton Youker has been chosen to succeed Murphy and become Wheaton's next chief of police.

Youker began his career with the Wheaton Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. Over the next two decades, Youker worked as a public information officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant before being promoted to deputy chief.

“I was raised in Wheaton for the first 20 years of my life, and I have been serving as a police officer in Wheaton for the last 22 years,” Youker said in a statement. “I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve my hometown as the next Chief of Police."

He vowed to "work diligently to ensure the police department continues to serve the community with respect, compassion and integrity.”

"[Youker] has been an integral part of many of the police department’s current initiatives," City Manager Mike Dzugan shared in a statement.

He added, "His experience within the department, the relationships he has built throughout his career and his deep connection to our community make him especially well-suited for this role.”

Murphy is set to retire Sept. 25 and Youker will be sworn in on Oct. 2 at Wheaton City Hall, following a meet-and-greet with residents at 6 p.m.