Police Chief: Job Fulfilled Promise to Dad

For Steve Herron, becoming Chief fulfilled a promise to his dad made on May 9, 2002. 

Herron was a deputy chief at the time. He didn't intend to pursue the position. 

On that day, “he made me promise him some stuff – to go back to school, get my degree and become chief,” Herron said. “He told me it was time to ante up and do things for other people.”

He knew something was about to happen, Herron said. Hours later, Herron’s father died after suffering a brain hemorrhage.

Herron became chief in Jan. 2004 after serving the department since 1973 as a volunteer cadet, dispatcher, tactical officer, technical services officer, sergeant and deputy chief, among other positions. 

He was also the department’s first K-9 officer, serving with his partner and German Shepherd, Nico, from 1981 to 1988. “He was one of the better partners I’ve ever had,” Herron said. “Other than my wife.” 

Herron will retire Friday after serving 38 years in the , eight of which were as police chief.

“Chief Herron’s leadership has guided the Police Department through many significant changes," Mayor William F. Murphy said in a village release. "His dedication to the department and the Police profession has been immense."

The date -- Nov.  11, 2011, was chosen after “long conversations” with his wife, he said. 

“My kids have never known me without being a cop,” he said. “I want to spend the holidays with my family. It’s the first time I can sit at home and not be working.” Herron has five children and 10 grandchildren.

Following his retirement, Herron will continue to serve as treasurer for the DuPage County Chiefs of Police. He also plans to volunteer with the DuPage County Emergency Telephone Systems Board as DuPage County  

Deputy Chief Ken Boehm will serve as interim police chief, starting Monday.

The village board approved a contract Oct. 27 with Voorhees Associates LLC to conduct a search effort for Herron’s successor. Herron said both internal and external candidates would be considered. The village hopes to have a new chief in place by Feb. 2012.

A life in law enforcement has taught Herron to judge people for what they are and not “what you think they come from,” he said. Cops tend to size people up very quickly, he said. It’s their job to not be biased against them but do it to not get hurt. 

“You can go to the highest end of the sociological ladder and there are really great people and some who aren’t,” he said. “With the medium- to low-income people, it’s the same. I don’t think people realize there are really good people how have had really bad luck and really bad people who have had really good luck.”

There are also always at least two sides to one story, he said.

“There are probably three sides to every story. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth, and you’ve got to try to look at that.”