The Emporia Police Department will be 28 years shorter on experience Monday, when Officer Jeff Illk retires from the force.
Illk started with the police department on Feb. 15, 1982, after spending about five years working for a company in natural-gas fields. He’d served in the military police in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1977, including time in Vietnam. Policing had gotten into his blood then, he said, but he was young and the higher wages at the gas field were appealing.
“Luckily for me, the gas field went under,” he said, smiling.
To Illk, it seemed a good opportunity to pursue the career he truly wanted, and he applied for a job at EPD. Illk has been one of the department’s most visible officers.
He’s received awards for valor and recognition for his on-the-job accomplishments; for many years, he was a field-training officer for the department, teaching rookies cops how to develop into professionals.
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
knute (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to these two and thank you for your service. The city takes a solid hit yet again with the loss of two people with nearly 45 years of experience between them. Didn't 220+ years of experience, six people, leave last December?
November 28, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
E_PLURIBUS_UNUM (anonymous) says...
I'm guessing that most people don't feel inclined to stick around after they are ready to retire. Hopefully the city has a succession plan in place to bring up new folks from within the ranks.
November 28, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Great news about Illk. Officer Lake, you will be missed. Thank you for your service and good luck at Johnson County.
November 28, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Thank You!
November 29, 2009 at 5:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Emporia is losing two very good PD Officers when Illk retires and Lake goes to work in Johnson Co. Congrats Jeff, enjoy your retirement. Good luck to you Mark.
November 29, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )