Aledo, Illinois will begin searching for a new police chief in July 2015, after current chief J. Michael Sponsler announced he will retire. Sponsler formally announced his intent to retire June 22, 2015.
Sponsler spent 38 years in law enforcement; he became a police officer in 1974, he served more than 28 years with the Rock Island Police Department, and he spent the past eight years leading the Aledo Police Department.
“There have been some really good times, some really challenging times, but overall, serving this city has been a rewarding experience,” Sponsler said about being police chief in the town where he grew up. “I want to thank my staff and the officers that have served by my side through these past years. We have been challenged with some unwanted circumstances recently, but we move forward and continue to do our jobs.”
The department swore in two new police officers in March 2015, after Steve Bonynge and Seth Degelman were forced to resign amid allegations inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old girl. Both men faced felony charges; Bonynge has fought the dismissal and the allegations against him. Aledo police have also recently investigated a rash of burglaries in the fall of 2014 and Walmart pharmacy workers accused in a drug and forgery conspiracy.
“I also want to thank the citizens of this great city for your support, your confidence and your patience with me,” Sponsler said. He also expressed appreciation for the support of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police, and the Mercer County State’s Attorney’s office. Sponsler also expressed gratitude for a number of county and city departments and civic organizations, and to area media outlets.
“I am moving on to more quiet times with family, especially grandkids,” Sponsler said. “We have some traveling plans and more time in Colorado is a must.”
Sponsler said the department hoped to have a new chief selected and in place by September.
Read J. Michael Sponsler’s retirement announcement below:
After weeks of consideration, I am announcing my retirement from Law Enforcement and as Police Chief of Aledo. Lots of consideration and discussion have gone into this decision. But after evaluating all the options, today I announce my formal decision. Although a final date has not been set, a plan is in place for my successor. Our Mayor, Mayor Hagloch, will be seeking job applications for my position starting in July. It is the intention of the City to have a new Police Chief chosen and start in early September.
I have thoroughly enjoyed and been very blessed to serve this great city and its citizens. There have been some really good times, some really challenging times, but overall, serving this City has been a rewarding experience. I want to thank the Mayors, past and present, City Administration, City Council Members, past and present, for the opportunity to serve as your Police Chief. I want to thank my staff and the Officers that have served by my side through these past years. We have been challenged with some unwanted circumstances recently, but we move forward and continue to do our jobs. I also want to thank the Citizens of this great City for your support, your confidence and your patience with me. Also working with area Police Departments has been a pleasure, especially all the Staff at the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. Working with Sheriff Thompson and now Sheriff Staley, they both were great supporters and we have kept lines of communications open to benefit both Departments. I also want to thank the Illinois State Police, both Patrol and Criminal Investigations Units. They have been so supportive and always there for us when called. To Mercer County State’s Attorney McHugh and Asst. State’s Attorney Lee, and their staff, what a professional group to work with and so supportive to law enforcement in this County. I truly appreciate all their efforts. Our working relationship has never been better between these agencies and I hope that continues. To Mercer County Probation Department, Mercer County Family Crisis Center, Mercer County Health Department, Aledo Main Street, all civic clubs and to all those groups that I have worked with, you all are so supportive to our Police Department and I truly appreciate that. And there is one more group of professionals I want to thank and that is the media. Our local media, WRMJ, The Times Record, RI Argus/Dispatch, local TV stations and all the media outlets that I have sent my press releases to, thank you all for your patience and support during these past 8 years.
I am moving on to more quiet times with family, especially grandkids. I really look forward to being there more for them. We have some traveling plans and more time in Colorado is a must. I want to thank my family for all their support through the years, Gina and Amy, and especially my wife Kathy, who has been by my side for the past 38 years while being a law enforcement Officer. This has been a very rewarding career, now ending after 38 years in Law Enforcement. Being a Police Officer today is so different than back in 1974 when I started as a rookie full-time Mercer County Deputy Sheriff. My 28 ½ years at the Rock Island City Police Department were some of the best years of my life and the experience gained there was so valuable to this position. The past 8 years of serving in a City/Community that I grew up in has been truly fulfilling.
So it is time to move on, and I wish the Mayor the best in his search for a new Police Chief and I will make sure the transition goes smoothly. Thank you all. It has been a real pleasure..
