Gurnee deputy chief retiring after 25 years

After a 25-year career with the Gurnee Police Department, Deputy Chief Saundra Campbell is retiring on Saturday.

"The department is losing an enormously talented police officer and leader," Chief Kevin Woodside said. "Her leadership and daily influence in the police department is going to be missed."

Deputy Chief Brian Smith said Campbell's empathy will be missed as well. Campbell was Smith's first patrol sergeant when he joined the department 18 years ago, and he said she always cared about her fellow officers.

"She's always been a very caring person," Smith said. "She was involved in our police careers, but she was always asking about the deeper stuff."

Campbell's caring extends beyond her career as a police officer. For the past 27 years she has volunteered for the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center in Gurnee and currently serves as vice president on the organization's board of directors.

Executive Director Jennifer Yonan said Campbell started as a medical advocate, which meant she would meet victims of domestic and sexual violence at area hospitals and provide them with support and resources on what the victim could do next. Yonan said Campbell also has worked on the center's support line, where she talks with women who need help.

"She's been a great supporter and a great community advocate," Yonan said.

Campbell started her Gurnee police career in July 1992. In 1996, she was assigned to investigations and promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1999. In 2011, she was promoted to commander in the patrol division. In 2014, she was promoted to deputy chief overseeing patrol and investigations operations. In 2016 she became deputy chief of support services.

Woodside said Campbell recently has been responsible for the department's communications center, which started providing 911 services to Zion and Beach Park in August.

"She brings compassion and a commitment to this community," Woodside said. "She just has a real heart for Gurnee."

In lieu of retirement gifts, Campbell asks people to donate children's books to Bernie's Book Bank. Books dropped off at the police department at 100 N. O'Plaine Road before the end of the day on Jan. 19 will be donated.