DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — After 28 years with the Decatur Police Department, Chief Shane Brandel announced on Monday that he plans to retire in the summer.

Brandel joined the police department in April 1997. During his time with Decatur, he worked in several different units and three divisions of the department. He became a Detective in 2000, was promoted to Sergeant in 2005, Lieutenant in 2015, and Deputy Chief of Police the following year. In 2021, Brandel was appointed Chief of Police.

“Shane has been an outstanding Police Chief in what has been a challenging time to be in law enforcement,” Decatur City Manager Tim Gleason said. “Our community has been made safer under his leadership and he is leaving the department in a better place. I wish him the best in retirement.”

Brandel will officially retire May 9, 2025. The City Manager will appoint a new Police Chief in the “near future,” according to the City of Decatur.

The Decatur Fire Chief also recently announced his retirement. In February, Chief Jeff Abbott said that he planned to retire on March 15, exactly 30 years after starting his career with the department.