DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Friday marked the end of an era for one law enforcement leader in Macon County. Shane Brandel, Decatur’s now former police chief, is retiring after 28 years with the department. He knows he’ll never forget the highs and lows of the job, but he’s also never forgotten why he set out on the path of policing, thanks to his family growing up.

“I remember being 15 years old and all I wanted to do was be a police officer,” Brandel said. “My stepdad was a police officer in the town I grew up in. Ultimately, he was the chief of police as well. My dad was a Bloomington firefighter, and I had a couple of cousins who were police officers.”

To him, it only made sense to follow in their footsteps. After graduating from Western Illinois University, he found his way to Decatur and was hired at 21.

“I’ve loved this city. I’ve loved this department. It’s been very rewarding in terms of my career and my life,” he reflected. “It’s different with time and age, and maturity for what’s rewarding to you. When I’m 22 years old, working the streets, what’s rewarding to me is the action!”

Over time, he said that feeling shifted. He took over more detective responsibilities in 2000.

“Trying to bring closure and justice to families and victims. Sometimes, those are homicide victims. To bring closure to their families was special,” Brandel said.

Even while earning promotions and working his way up the ranks, Brandel said he has always stayed connected with the community.

“You had developed a bond with those families; that was always something I appreciated and valued. To this day, there are victims’ families that I have contact with from 20 years ago,” the former chief said.

Brandel was appointed as Decatur’s police chief in 2021, and said one of his favorite parts of the position has been getting to know so many people in the community. He has also been proud of the work that has been put into pushing the department forward.

“We’ve reorganized this entire department in the last four years, and we’ve had a lot of success in doing that,” he explained.

But it’s not always easy. There are certain shifts, like the night two officers were shot, that he will never forget.

“It’s unfortunate that our jobs are such that we are placed in those dangerous situations,” Brandel said. “I don’t think anybody can actually truly understand what it is to be a police officer if you have been a police officer.”

Certain situations take a toll, and he has said he always prioritizes officers’ mental health.

He hopes new officers understand it’s okay to not be okay, especially as the department turns the page and marks a new chapter.

“If people look back and see my tenure as the chief, I hope that my legacy is that, ‘he just put us in a good position to move forward,'” Brandel said.

Now, he’s thinking ahead to what’s next for him. Right now, he has no official plans lined up.

“I really hope just to take some time, do a mental reset,” he said.

Part of that time will be with his family, he’s a proud husband and father to twin girls. One daughter lives in Nashville, working in human resources, while the other serves in the Army while working on earning her degree.

As he looks back on the past 28 years with a badge on his chest, he’s also thinking back to the moment he was sworn in as a 21-year-old, just thankful that a department somehow, somewhere gave him a chance.

“I’m grateful to the men and women of the Decatur Police Department who go out there and do that hard work every day,” Brandel said. “As I step aside, that’s where I’m most proud.”

Deputy Chief Brad Allen will take Brandel’s seat. Allen grew up in Decatur and graduated from MacArthur High School. He started with the department in 1998 and has served with them for 27 years.