La Salle Police Sgt. Chris Hass retires, Luke Radtke to take over the rank

The La Salle City Council accepted the resignation of a police sergeant and promoted his successor on Monday.

Sgt. Chris Hass of Mendota retired. He came to La Salle in 2005 as a patrolman, after working as a K-9 officer in Mendota for four years.

“He’s been a loyal, loyal colleague,” Chief Mike Smudzinski said. “He worked the ranks, ultimately was our training officer. He supervised us at the gun range. He did things like control tactics. He was ultimately promoted to sergeant.”

Smudzinski said Hass worked toward the goal of retiring and is looking forward to doing something new and spending more time with his family.

“I think that’s great,” he said. “His contributions to work and the community will be remembered. He’s got a lot of friends down there. I’m going to miss him. He’s a good man … he had a real, honest way of giving you what you asked of him. He’s going to be missed.”

La Salle Mayor Jeff Grove said Smudzinski had been anticipating some of these retirements and asked him how the department was faring with replacements.

“We are fully staffed,” Smudzinski said. “Things are looking good.”

Officer Luke Radtke was next on the list for promotion to sergeant, Smudzinski said.

“He left the task force,” Smudzinski said. “He is now leading the night shift. He’s off to a good start and is asking questions.”

Alderman Jordan Crane said he has seen Radtke come up the ranks from a young age and was happy to see him become sergeant.

“He’s very excited about the challenge,” Smudzinski said.