JACKSON, Wyo. — Police Chief Todd Smith has tendered his resignation as head of the Jackson Police department.
Smith had been contemplating the right time to step down and finally made the decision official in a letter to town manager Larry Pardee, who will be tasked with finding his replacement. Smith said his last day will be August 23.
“It has truly been the honor of my life to serve the community for nearly 12 years as the leader of this agency and as a Jackson Police Department Officer (in various capacities) for nearly 29 years. I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself,” Smith wrote.
Town Manager Larry Pardee commented, “I want to thank Chief Smith for his leadership and nearly 29 years of dedicated public service to the Town of Jackson, the last decade-plus of which he served as the Chief of Police. The current quality of the Department and the caliber of the officers on the team are a direct result of his outstanding leadership.”
Smith was named interim chief in July 2009 after the resignation of Dan Zivkovich. That temporary appointment by then-town manager Bob McLaurin ended up being permanent when Smith won over town officials and his department with a selfless management style.
“Much of the honor, in my mind, does not stem from carrying out the day-to-day duties of the Chief of Police, but instead it comes from the chance to work alongside some truly incredible men and women who are always willing to be there for this community when they need them most,” Smith stated. It requires a special person to be a police officer these days, so I hold each one of these selfless individuals in the highest of regards for their commitment to this community and to our nation. They have much to be proud of and should hold their heads high in the face of adversity.”
Smith began his law enforcement career with the Jackson PD. He left briefly to serve as Lincoln County Sheriff in 2006. He later resigned and returned to the Jackson police force.
Smith tapped Sgt. Michelle Weber as his replacement, a recommendation that was accepted by Pardee, who named Weber as Acting Chief of Police to serve in the interim until longer-term decisions could be made. Weber currently serves as the Support/Training Sergeant in the Department and fills roles including community relations, budgeting, patrol supervision as well as Victim Services and Community Service oversight.
“Sergeant Weber is ideally situated to assist the Town of Jackson during this interim period and will assist us in looking for ways to improve and push our standards higher,” Pardee said.
Weber said she was honored to be selected as the Acting Chief of Police and looks forward to continuing her service to the community.
