MONUMENT – The Town of Monument announced the retirement of Police Chief Jacob Shirk after 14 years with the department.
In an email statement to News5, the Town thanked him for his service and said Shirk, “took a modest police department from incredibly humble beginnings to the professional law enforcement organization that it is today.”
A reason for Shirk’s retirement was not disclosed in the announcement. However, when we reached him by phone he said that after 44 years in law enforcement, it was simply time.
Shirk was leaving to go camping and was unavailable for an on-camera interview.
“After 44-years of being on-call 24/7, I’m ready to be done,” Shirk said over the phone.
“I love the Town, love the officers, and love the community but it’s just time.”
Shirk’s retirement comes a little more than a year after he sent a letter to the town’s Board of Trustees alleging inappropriate conduct from now-former Town Manager Chris Lowe.
Shirk’s letter accused Lowe of showing up intoxicated to a police work function, creating a hostile work environment, inappropriate conduct and holding a vendetta against law enforcement officers.
The board voted 6-0 to terminate Lowe’s employment with the town in June 2018.
Town leaders are currently planning a retirement celebration for Shirk. A date and time has not yet been announced.
