Tom Weitzel

Chief Tom Weitzel (Ret.) is a 37-year veteran of American law enforcement and the former Chief of Police of the Riverside, Illinois Police Department. He began his career with the department in 1984. He rose through every rank: patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief, and ultimately chief of police, a position he held from 2008 until his retirement in 2021. During his tenure, he became known throughout the Chicago region for his leadership on public safety policy, officer wellness, and community-focused, constitutionally grounded policing.

One of the defining moments of his career occurred early in his service. In 1987, while investigating a suspicious vehicle during a nighttime patrol, Officer Weitzel was ambushed and shot at close range with a shotgun. The blast struck his ballistic vest and knocked him to the ground, causing serious injuries but ultimately saving his life. The experience had a lasting impact on him and helped shape his lifelong commitment to officer safety, training, and legislation protecting law enforcement officers. He later received recognition from the Kevlar Survivors Club for surviving the attack because of his body armor.

Chief Weitzel went on to lead the Riverside Police Department for more than a decade, overseeing modern policing initiatives, community policing strategies, and professional development programs for officers. Throughout his career, he was actively involved in statewide law enforcement policy discussions and served on legislative committees addressing public safety issues affecting police departments across Illinois.

Following his retirement from active service, Chief Weitzel has remained deeply engaged in national and state public safety advocacy. He currently serves as an Illinois Ambassador for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C., helping honor fallen officers, support their families, and promote officer safety initiatives nationwide. He is also a Law Enforcement Fellow with Awake Illinois, where he contributes policy commentary, public safety analysis, and media appearances focused on crime, policing, and legislation affecting law enforcement.

Chief Weitzel is widely recognized as a strong advocate for legislative initiatives that strengthen public safety, support police officers in the line of duty, and ensure the profession of policing remains grounded in professionalism, accountability, and service to the community. He continues to write and speak publicly on issues affecting law enforcement, crime policy, and the future of policing.

Law enforcement is also a family tradition for Chief Weitzel. He and his wife raised three sons who all followed in his footsteps and today serve as police officers in suburban Chicago communities. For Chief Weitzel, policing has always been more than a career; it is a lifelong profession and commitment to protecting others and upholding the rule of law.

You can follow Tom on X (formerly Twitter) @chiefweitzel, on Substack at: https://substack.com/@chieftomweitzelre