Hampshire chief retiring from force, maybe not public duty

Hampshire Police Chief Tom Atchison said Friday he is stepping down at the end of January, ending a 10-year run as the village's top law enforcement officer.

"The proudest day of my life was the day I put on a badge," he said. "Probably the saddest day will be when I have to take it off."

Atchison said his reasons for retiring probably are too long to list, but among them is the cancer diagnosis his wife received about a year ago.

During more than three decades in police work, Athchison handled every type of crime, except treason.

In the late 1980s, while working for the Kane County Sheriff's Department, Athchison investigated the murder of Melissa Ackerman of Somonauk. His efforts helped win a conviction against Brian Dugan, the man now suspected in the 1983 killing of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico in Naperville.

He became Hampshire's police chief in May 1998, and two years later was investigating the on-duty slaying of one of the village's officers, Gregory M. Sears.

Less than a month before Sears' murder, Atchison served as best man at his wedding.

"Three weeks later, I was standing over his body lying in the mud during a thunderstorm, he said.

Atchison plans to stay busy after retirement.

"I bought a little dump truck and I'm going to purchase a Bobcat." he said. "I'm going to haul mulch and dirt for homeowners."

Atchison also hinted that there may be something to reports that he would campaign for a seat on the village board next year.

"I feel I can still contribute something to the community," he said, stopping short of confirming plans to run. "The board could use someone with my background and I work well under pressure."