'Hail to the Chief'

Since he joined the Oak Lawn Police Department as a rookie patrol officer, one day has always loomed in the distant future: April 1, 2013.

That’s the day that was set as the retirement date for Oak Lawn Police Chief William V. Villanova Jr. who retires next week after a 36-year career in law enforcement marked by bravery, leadership and cool professionalism.

Sign up for the Oak Lawn Patch newsleter and follow us on Facebook.

Mayor Dave Heilmann read a proclamation declaring Thursday—March 28—William V. Villanova Jr. Day in Oak Lawn, before throwing it to fellow board members, each of whom thanked the chief for a job well done.

“I’m the biggest baby of them all,” Village Clerk Jane Quinlan wept during Tuesday's village board meeting.

Villanova stood stoically with Oak Lawn’s rank and file officers backing him, although earlier in the evening he was happy to put off the outpouring of praise for the presentation of the awards to the young winners of Fire and Public Safety Coloring Contest.

“I remember when you were standing here and Linda was putting the star on you,” the mayor said. “It seems like it just happened. I can’t believe how fast that was.”

Villanova began his career with the Oak Lawn police force in 1977, where he quickly demonstrated a natural talent for police work, becoming an evidence technician and then a detective.

He served as a team leader in the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and became chief of detectives in 2004. Villanova was named the village's police chief in 2006.

During his 36 years with the force he was honored with numerous department commendations and awards, including being named 2012's Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission.

“I remember when we were going through the process of selecting a police chief. You think to yourself, who are we who are elected to make that decision for people,” Heilmann said. “For us it was made very easy because of your qualifications both as a police office and human being.”

The mayor praised Villanova for having his department’s back.

“Therein you all have ours,” Heilmann said. “You’re a hell of a chief.”

Villanova said he couldn’t have been prouder of the men and women in the police department as he struggled to get through the tribute without breaking down.

“The things you say about me strike me to the core,” the police chief said. “It means a lot to know we had your support and that this department had your support. Even though I’m gone I’m not going to be far away. I’ll be watching whoever the boss is going to be.”

“Like two popes,” Heilmann quipped.

Villanova said when he took over as chief Oak Lawn already had a good police department. He hoped he had made it better, and challenged his successor to bring the department to even greater heights.

“It’s not just me it’s the staff who make this place work,” Villanova said after a long pause to regain his composure. “As the chief you get all of the praise when things go great you, and you also get all the headaches when things don’t go so great. But these are really the guys who earn all of the credit because they are the ones that make it happen.”

Villanova then thanked his wife, Linda, as “my lady whose been by my side through all of this.”

“This is the best profession in the world,” the chief said.