Peoria Standard

Retiring Fon du Lac Park District Police Chief Michael Johnson recently received special recognition for his nearly three decades of dedicated service to the park police department.

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl made a surprise special proclamation honoring Johnson during the Jan. 3 City Council meeting.

"During his tenure, the Fon du La Park Police has received an unprecedented level of professional recognition, including that of surrounding law enforcement and fire/EMS agencies, Eastport Marina staff and patrons, other marine law enforcement agencies, and the United States Coast Guard," Kahl said in the proclamation during the meeting.

The Fon du Lac Park Police Department works in coordination with the East Peoria City Police Department and is responsible for all the parks within the city. Johnson officially retired on Jan. 2, 2023, after a 28-year career with the department.

Johnson joined the park police part-time in 1995 while also serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. In 1999, he joined the police department full-time and was soon promoted to chief. He also served as the director of the Fon du Lac Park District for five years when the city was in need. Kahl made a proclamation declaring Jan. 2, 2023, as "Fon du Lac Park Police Chief Michael D. Johnson Day."

Kahl and other members of the City Council shared words of appreciation for Johnson including for his work outside the police department as an active member of the community, with many charitable organizations receiving his time. They were glad that he was choosing to retire and stay in the city as everyone in the community valued his wisdom and willingness to help in any manner. They thanked him for all of his hard work and wished him well in his retirement.