FORTVILLE — After withdrawing his previously announced retirement earlier this year due to family health concerns, police chief Bill Knauer is now ready to hang up his badge after all.
His last day will be Jan. 15, 2021, when he’ll conclude a law enforcement career that’s spanned more than three decades.
Knauer first announced his retirement in June effective at the end of the year. Just a few days later, his wife, Carolyn, was diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting him to withdraw the announcement.
Knauer recently told the Daily Reporter that his wife’s condition has improved.
“She’s doing really well,” he said.
Knauer, who was hired as the town’s police chief in 2013, said he’ll miss his regular interactions and fellowship with his colleagues at the police department and residents of the town.
“I worked at the pleasure of the (town) council, but my ultimate responsibility and accountability is to the citizens we serve, and I hope that’s what I accomplished,” he said.
As he said during his original announcement last spring, Knauer said he continues to be proud of the bridges built between the police department and community during his time as chief.
“The change in perception and attitudes, the ability to really get out there that we can work together as a community to make Fortville a better place to live,” he said. “To know that the citizens can call the police department and that we’ll be there to help, and my door was always open.”
Knauer started his law enforcement career at age 18 and has served in Arcadia, Cicero, Wabash County and Fishers.
He wishes the people of Fortville happiness and success as he and his wife prepare for their move to Florida.
“It’s been a great ride,” he said. “It’s been an honor, not just a pleasure, but an honor to serve the people of Fortville.”
At a town council meeting late last month, officials decided to hold an executive session on Monday, Jan. 4 to discuss the process for securing Knauer’s replacement and who will be in charge of the police chief’s responsibilities in the interim.
“You’ve got a lot of leeway to go about it,” town attorney Alex Intermill told council members of the selection process. “If you want to look in-house first, or if you want to advertise and go out.”
He recommended the council meet privately in executive session on the topic.
“We can have the council have a very candid and open conversation about how they’d like the process to go,” Intermill said. “Of course, no decisions would be made there; and then we can come out when the time’s right and present the strategy and process.”
