Tony Garvey, former North Riverside police chief, dies by apparent suicide

NORTH RIVERSIDE – Representatives of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association expressed their condolences Tuesday after learning of the death of Tony Garvey, former police chief in North Riverside, of an apparent suicide.

"It is with profound sadness that we report the passing of Anthony (Tony) Garvey, president-elect of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association," the group said in a statement. "We have lost a dear friend and valued colleague. Tony took his own life this morning, and our grief and confusion at this time are little compared to what his family must be feeling. Our hearts and prayers go out to them."

Garvey, a Brookfield resident, was replaced as police chief in North Riverside following the April 9 consolidated election. He was succeeded by Lane Niemann, who served as Garvey's deputy chief since 2009. Garvey was named a commander for the Police Department after Niemann took over as chief.

"Tony was a wonderful law enforcement professional and a wonderful husband and father," said Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel, who previously served as president of the WSCPA. "I was very saddened to hear of the news this morning. Tony was an individual who cared deeply about the village of North Riverside."

Weitzel said that he and Garvey worked for the Brookfield Zoo Police Department in the early 1980s. They served together on the WSCPA's executive committee, and Garvey was very active with the association, Weitzel said.