JANESVILLE — Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore announced his retirement Tuesday after 47 years with the department and 15 years as chief.
His last day is Sept. 22.
Moore, who grew up in Janesville, said his desire to be a police officer took root when he was 12 years old, after he and his friends witnessed a police officer save a little girl from being hit by a train.
“I remember seeing that and I thought, ‘man, how heroic is that?’†he said. “It hit me, and I knew that was something I’d like to do someday.â€
Moore said he had done an internship in Fort Atkinson and also worked in Marshall but knew he wanted to stay in Janesville.
He started out as a patrol officer and worked primarily on the second shift. After about three years he started working with a drug unit and did some undercover work in Beloit for about a year before being promoted to the detective bureau. He then moved up the ranks before being made chief.
“I have loved every position I’ve had,†Moore said. “I’ve found great joy to the point where I hesitated leaving. They have all just been wonderful, meaningful and fulfilling.â€
Moore said the most important part of his job has been helping families, individuals, victims of crimes, and offenders through programming.
“ItÃÛèÖÊÓƵ that knowing in your heart, you’re really helping the community and victims get the services they need,†he said.
Reflecting back, Moore said he is proud of the community and how it has grown and diversified. He said there were some tough times coming out of 2008 when JanesvilleÃÛèÖÊÓƵ General Motors plant closed, as crime rates rose.
He told his staff at that time “look we are a part of economic development†and if they wanted Janesville to grow and recover from such a big loss, they needed to make sure Janesville was safe.
He said that pushing for safety, expanded programming and continuing to build trust with the community is the reason Janesville is now seeing its lowest crime rate in 40 years.
Moore said it wasn’t easy to choose to retire now; there is never a good time to leave. He said he made the decision to stay during the pandemic and until a new city manager was found. But then, hitting the button on his retirement announcement was still the hardest “send†button he ever pressed.
“ThereÃÛèÖÊÓƵ always the next project or the next great idea, but this is just a really good time to leave, because the culture is right,†he said.
“You know, I can’t keep doing it forever,†he continued. “The departmentÃÛèÖÊÓƵ ready for it and so is the community.â€
Moore said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and family, and to spending more time flying and traveling the world. He said he doesn’t think he will be bored.
He said there will always be a part of him that will miss being a part of the department on a daily basis.
He said he has many people to thank but most of all his family and all the police department staff and city staff he has worked with.
