Chief Tom Weitzel, Ret.

Chief Thomas Weitzel (Ret.) is a 37-year veteran of law enforcement, having served the Riverside, Illinois Police Department from 1984 until his retirement in 2021, including 13 years as Chief of Police. Rising through every rank in the department—from patrol officer to detective, sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief, and chief—he held key roles such as Field Training Officer, Crime Prevention Coordinator, Public Information Officer, and Internal Affairs Supervisor.

 

A graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 218), Chief Weitzel also earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Social Justice from Lewis University and completed advanced programs including the Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Institute and certifications as a Certified Police Chief for the State of Illinois.

 

In 1987, early in his career, Chief Weitzel survived a point-blank shotgun ambush while on patrol, saved by his bulletproof vest—an experience that fueled his lifelong advocacy for officer safety, including legislative changes to eliminate statutes of limitations for shootings of officers and department-wide vest replacement policies.

 

He received the Kevlar/DuPont Survivor’s Club Award for his survival.A respected leader and voice for the profession, Chief Weitzel has served on the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Legislative Committee, lobbied for law enforcement funding and reforms, and currently serves as an Ambassador for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, supporting agencies, officers, and families affected by line-of-duty deaths.

 

Known for his principled, constitutional approach to policing, evidence-based reforms, and commitment to community safety, Chief Weitzel is a national commentator on public safety issues.

 

As Fellow of Law Enforcement at Awake Illinois, he contributes expert analysis to the Awake and Armed video podcasts and exclusive op-eds on the Awake Illinois blog, grounding discussions in real-world experience to promote safer communities and better-supported officers. His substack The ‘Memo’ offers the public his fair, fact-based view of law enforcement.