Richard Landi, the recently retired Rock Island Police chief, thanks guests for their support during his retirement party on Friday, April 26. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Richard Landi was the center of attention on Friday, April 26. He didn’t like all the attention, but was grateful for the kind words, gifts and cake. It was retirement day for Rock Island’s police chief. More than 80 people filled the Community Room at the Rock Island Police Department on Friday for a retirement […]
Richard Landi was the center of attention on Friday, April 26.He didn’t like all the attention, but was grateful for the kind words, gifts and cake. It was retirement day for Rock Island’s police chief.
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Retired Rock Island Police Chief Richard Landi, center, receives a retirement badge from Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, right, as Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson is shown at the left.
Richard Landi makes his end-of-duty radio call on Friday afternoon as he retires as Rock Island’s police chief. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Richard Landi, left, who recently retired as chief of the Rock Island Police Department, receives a gift from Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
More than 80 people filled the Community Room at the Rock Island Police Department on Friday for a retirement party and ceremony to honor the outgoing Police Chief Landi.
The retirement cake for the police chief.
More than 80 people filled the Community Room at the Rock Island Police Department on Friday for a retirement party and ceremony to honor the outgoing Police Chief Landi.“This is one of those sad days, but a happy day (for Mr. Landi). … He has done a wonderful job of keeping us safe,” Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said during the ceremony.The mayor was one of several city leaders, police officials and others to offer words of thanks, praise and congratulations to the city’s top cop, who served on the city police force for 30 years and four months.Mr. Landi rose through the ranks of the police department after beginning with the department as a patrol officer in 1993. He served as sergeant from 2003 to 2010, and as lieutenant until 2020 when he was appointed deputy chief of police. He was appointed police chief in April of 2022 after serving for five months as interim chief.“This has been the most challenging part of my career, but also the most rewarding,” Mr. Landi told the crowd.In addition to the speeches, the event featured a retirement cake and a lot of gifts and presentations. Some of the items included a retirement police badge presented by the mayor, a street sign with the phrase “Landi Lane,” artwork inspired by the U.S. flag and a plaque presented by Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel.The ceremony also featured a speech from Mr. Landi’s wife, Debra, who said she will be especially happy because her husband will now “sleep with his phone on silent.”“It’s going to be retirement. I’m going to work around the house and get some things done,” Mr. Landi said about his immediate plans for retirement.The end of the Friday ceremony featured one of the most emotion-packed parts of the day. Mr. Landi and his wife got into a police vehicle so he could make his end-of-duty radio call into the dispatch center. During that call – under the police code 10-42 placed at 1:32 p.m. on Friday – Mr. Landi thanked the members of the police department and community for their support over the years.Mr. Landi also thanked his many friends and family members who attended the Friday ceremony. “You are the ones who shaped me through the years,” he added.
