Tuesday, Jul. 03, 2012

Apex police chief to retire

After seven years, the Apex Police Department is losing its chief Jack Lewis to retirement.

Lewis announced his retirement Monday, and it will be effective about Jan. 1.

“During his tenure in Apex, our Police Department has evolved into one of the finest departments anywhere,” said Apex Town Manager Bruce Radford in a statement. “Whether the incident was as great as his hands-on involvement in the (Environmental Quality Co.) incident or... routine administrative duty, Chief Lewis could always be counted on to excel in every way possible.”

As many as 15,000 residents were forced or encouraged to leave their homes after an EQ warehouse blew up on Oct. 5, 2006.

The town will conduct an open search for Lewis’ replacement and Radford said he hopes to have a new chief appointed by mid to late December.

Lewis said retirement will give him a chance to spend more time with his family. In a statement released by the town Lewis shared glowing words about his department. He said Apex police department employees, “live and model their core values: pride, integrity and service every day.”

During Lewis’ service, Apex has enjoyed one of the lowest crime rates in the area, said Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly.

That’s “due in large measure to his ability to inspire his officers with the same commitment he has for public service,” Weatherly said in a statement.