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Deputy Chief Rick Slough retires after holding every rank at LPD

By Josh Bootsma

LANSING, Ill. (December 9, 2022) – Retiring Deputy Chief Rick Slough was honored at the Lansing Village Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night, in honor of a 27-year career that saw him hold every rank at the Lansing Police Department.

Slough worked through the roles of patrolman, paramedic, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, detective lieutenant, commander, deputy chief, and interim police chief.

“Rick always demanded excellence and he knew how to have fun,” said LPD Chief Al Phillips Tuesday night as he presented Slough with a plaque in honor of his service.

Village Trustee Jerry Zeldenrust, a former Lansing officer who worked with Slough, praised his cool demeanor, remembering a dangerous incident they both experienced together: “Rick applied himself to the job no matter what rank he was, who he was working for, what the call was — always thinking, always being careful for each other, and always watching out for our town.”

Mayor Patty Eidam praised Slough especially for his last few years on the job, when he served as interim chief and aided the administration in its search for a new chief after Dennis Murrin retired in early 2021. Current chief Al Phillips has helmed the department since June of last year.

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Mayor Patty Eidam presented Slough with a gift and praised his work as interim chief in 2021. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

“In a department the size of Lansing with the population of Lansing as great as it is, it was a huge undertaking and we really appreciate you, sir,” Eidam told Slough.

Slough pointed to the efforts of his brothers and sisters in blue as a source of his success, and also praised the Village Board, Mayor, and Administrator Dan Podgorski for their support of LPD.

“Thank you to my family back there, too,” Slough said as he gestured to his family at the back of the room, “We missed a few moments in life; I had to step away a few times and you guys were my rock.”

Deputy Chief Rick Slough thanks his family for supporting him during his 27 years at LPD, during which he held every rank in the department. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Scott Bailey will be moving from his role as detective lieutenant to deputy chief to replace Slough. Mike Hynek is stepping into the detective lieutenant role.

The Lansing Police Department is located at 2710 170th Street.

Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.

1 COMMENT

  1. RIcky was the finest of the finest and will be trurly missed ! I am sure after 27 years he has some stores to tell ! I never herd Rick talk bad about anything and always had an open mind ! Congratulations to Ricky and his family ! You will be missed . Scott has some big shoes to fill but I know Scott will do well.We are running out of the so called old timers ! Congratultions again Ricky don’t be a stranger ! Enjoy your retirement .

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