Police Chief Richard Schmitz will retire on April 30 after serving the City of Aumsville for 26 years.
“His last day happens to be the same date he started at the Aumsville Police Department in 1996,” said Ron Harding, city administrator. “Chief Schmitz has had a tremendously positive impact on the Police Department, City staff, and the entire community. He is highly respected and admired by his colleagues and the community alike.”
A retirement social celebrating Schmitz’s tenure will be held at 5 p.m. on April 7 at the Aumsville Community Center.
“Anyone who wants to come and wish the Chief well is welcome to stop by,” Harding said. “There will be snacks and refreshments available with a short presentation at 6 p.m.”
In his youth, Schmitz enrolled at Chemeketa Community College, graduating with an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice administration. At 21, he joined the police reserves, serving in Willamina and nearby Sheridan.
“When I was 25, I started my full-time career with the Salem Police Department,” he said.
After his wife, Cindi, earned her teaching degree, Schmitz, then 27, returned full-time to police work with the Willamina Police Department. In 1988, he took a job with the Keizer Police Department and worked his way up from patrolman to detective, and then to sergeant.
In 1996, after a three-year hiatus from police work due to a family tragedy, Schmitz joined the Aumsville Police Department, starting again as a patrolman. He soon rose through the ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, and, in July 2015, police chief.
“There have been many challenges and memories in my time here,” Schmitz said. “Most of my highlights have had happy outcomes. We started our Christmas Toy Drive with just two families, and the drive has grown to as many as 50 families over the years. We also started our National Night Out, where our officers barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs throughout the community and allow residents an opportunity to meet us and for us to meet them.
“There have also been some very challenging times,” he added. “In 2009, I was part of an investigation into students planning a school shooting at Cascade schools. We were fortunate enough to discover this before they were able to complete it, but it still shook the community.
On a wintery Saturday in December 2010, he rescued a citizen trapped in Mill Creek at Porter Boone Park.
“I ended up going into the creek… and was able to bring the citizen to safety,” he said.
According to Harding, the impact Chief Schmitz has had on Aumsville, both professionally and personally, is “so far-reaching that it is hard to imagine the department without him.”
Mayor Derek Clevenger agrees, saying, “Whoever steps into his position will have some big shoes to fill.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Chief Schmitz,” he added. “He is a dedicated public servant, and I am proud to call him my friend. I wish him all the best and hope that he enjoys retirement as much as we have enjoyed working with him.”
After retiring, Schmitz plans to travel, fish and work in his shop.
“The one thing I would like to add or say, thank you to the citizens of Aumsville for your support and placing your trust in me for these past 26 years,” he said. “I consider all of you as extended family and wish you all the very best.”
The job opening for Chief of Police for the City of Aumsville is open until the position is filled. For more information, visit www.aumsville.us/police.
