Lake Zurich fire chief retires after domestic battery arrest
Lake Zurich Fire Chief David Wheelock's nearly 36-year career with the village has ended.
Wheelock, arrested May 4 on domestic battery accusations involving his estranged wife, filed his retirement papers four days later, Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton confirmed Friday. Village officials had said Wheelock was placed on leave with pay after his arrest.
Poynton said Wheelock's retirement was effective immediately when it was submitted May 8.
In July 2014, Wheelock was lauded for reaching 35 years as a village department employee. He was a Lake Zurich High School student when he began as a fire department cadet, then was hired as a paramedic in 1979. Wheelock received a village proclamation calling him "a role model for the entire Lake Zurich-area community and an exemplary American citizen."
Wheelock worked his way to deputy fire chief, where he remained for 20 years until he was sworn in for the top post in August 2011. He replaced Terry Mastandrea, who retired after spending 21 years as chief.
Poynton said the village is "setting up the process" to find a permanent fire chief. Division Chief John Kelly was named acting fire chief and emergency management director after Wheelock's arrest.
Wheelock, 54, was arrested after a dispute with his estranged wife that started May 3 and resumed the next morning, according to Lake County sheriff's police. Wheelock is accused of attacking his estranged wife in a home they have shared on the 21000 block of West Highland Drive in an unincorporated area near Lake Zurich, authorities said.
Sheriff's police said Wheelock pushed the woman into a wall and threatened her. The Lake County state's attorney's office said Wheelock stated at a probable cause hearing he might have grabbed his estranged wife's arm as he was trying to get an iPad.
Documents show Wheelock was charged with domestic battery/bodily harm and domestic battery/physical contact. His attorney, Christina Ivashchenko, has said her client denies all of the accusations.