Farewell Speech - Prepared Remarks
Chief James R. Kruger, Jr.
President, ILACP

Installation of Officers Banquet - April 27, 2018
Peoria, Illinois

There are so many people to thank tonight for what was one of the most humbling and meaningful experiences of my professional life.  But before I do, I would like to reflect on this past year for just a moment. 

The one thing you learn very quickly, and one that our incoming president will find out soon, is that there is no ramp time once you’re installed as president of this association.  Quite frankly, I think that pace was one of the things that made this year so special for me.

We have accomplished many great things together this year in the areas of legislative advocacy, our commitment to diversity, especially our statement of Shared Principles, and the financial stability of the association itself.  There are so many more things we accomplished together, but tonight is about the future.

So I would like to first thank my wife Karen for her unwavering support as I traveled all over the state representing the association.  I knew I wanted to be as committed as possible this year, and that would not have been possible without her support and understanding.  [Give her a bouquet of flowers.]

Secondly, although they didn’t make the trip down here, I want to publicly thank the Village of Oak Brook and our Village Manager and my terrific staff for never questioning my commitments and for giving me the opportunity to serve this association to the fullest the past year.

And thirdly, I would like to thank all of you for the trust you placed in me as we embarked on this journey together four years ago.  It has been an honor to represent our 1,300 members of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police this past year as your president. 

I have enjoyed every minute of it, and as I turn over the gavel, it is my hope that I left the association a little better than when I got here.  In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” I have been rewarded beyond my imagination this past year serving as your president and giving back to our honorable profession.  I pledge to continue to support this association, incoming President [Brian] Fengel and all of you in whatever capacity I can in the future. 

Thank you.