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When Bob Ledbetter began walking the beat in 1977 as a Carbondale police officer, Halloween was a nightmare.
But 31 years later, Ledbetter, now 59, said Monday he would retire as the department's chief after a much quieter holiday and in the wake of plans for a new police station.
Ledbetter said he plans a Jan. 9 retirement after a career of more than 30 years, which is the longest stretch in the department's history.
City Manager Allen Gill said he was glad Ledbetter experienced a calm Halloween this year, which is a sharp contrast to the Halloween celebrations and riots the chief saw throughout his career.
Ledbetter described Halloween 2008 as "quite unique." He said the calmer Carbondale could be a result of the police training system he put into practice in the 1980s.
Ledbetter's announcement would cue a nationwide search for the next chief of police, Gill said. He said an interim chief from within the department would be appointed before a permanent successor is chosen.
"He's set a very professional example for police work," Gill said. "We will not have someone hired by January."
Ledbetter said he anticipates making some of the final decisions on the floor plan for the new police station before his January exit.
"Before my time is up here, I'm going to have a pretty good opportunity to see some of those things through," he said. The police department is currently housed in a former university residence hall on Wall Street.
Ledbetter, who served as interim chief for the six months before his promotion in November 2006, was a patrolman, detective, shift sergeant, deputy chief and chief during his career. He said the time he spent in those positions was rewarding and prepared him to become the department's top officer.
"I've been very proud of the fact that we've been able to do some programs to help the young people of our community, and I see that it gives them some better advantages," Ledbetter said.
Daily Egyptian reporter Barton Lorimor can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 263 or barton.lorimor@siude.com.
