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WHEATON – Wheaton Deputy Police Chief William Murphy has been named the city's new police chief following the retirement of Chief Jim Volpe, who is leaving the department this month to become the new director of the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy based at the College of DuPage's campus in Glen Ellyn.
Murphy has been a member of the Wheaton Police Department since 1990.
"Deputy Chief Murphy's vast experience and commitment to the City of Wheaton will allow him to efficiently and effectively lead the department while continuing to keep our community one of the safest in the nation," Wheaton City Manager Mike Dzugan said in a news release from the city of Wheaton announcing he was appointing Murphy as police chief.
Murphy has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice management from Aurora University and a master's degree in public safety administration from Lewis University. He will be sworn in as the city's 12th police chief during the Wheaton City Council meeting at 7 p.m. July 2.
Volpe has been a member of the Police Department since 1983. He previously served as patrol officer, shift commander/sergeant, commander/lieutenant and division commander of investigations for the department. Volpe's wife is a former police officer with the department as well.
His last day with the city will be June 24, which is his 35th anniversary with the department. Volpe previously said leaving the department will be "bittersweet."
"It's hard," Volpe had told Suburban Life. "I really don't want to leave the city. I love working here. It's been my home. The people I work with are great. The City Council is great. But 35 years is a long time. I was lucky enough to get the offer of employment from COD. I am very excited to take on a new challenge training police officers."
He will start with the academy June 25. The academy, which is based in the Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center, provides basic recruit training and continuing education programs. Volpe has been training with the academy since 1999.