Council says goodbye to Geneva's police chief

In February of 1973, Elton John ruled the radio charts in Chicago with "Crocodile Rock."

The Chicago Blackhawks were busy winning their division without the legendary Bobby Hull, who had abandoned his Chicago fans to become a Winnipeg Jet in an upstart hockey league.

And Bill Kidwell, who studied business and economics in college, was starting work as a patrol officer with the Geneva Police Department.

Monday night, he graciously accepted the thanks of the Geneva City Council, which honored him for 35 years of service to the city. It was his last anniversary celebration, as Police Chief Kidwell is retiring July 1.

"It's difficult to sum up in the words 'three-and-a-half decades'," said Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, presenting the plaque of appreciation. "It's hard to believe."

"I appreciate having had the opportunity to work for the city of Geneva and the citizens of Geneva," Kidwell told the crowd of city employees, residents and police officers gathered.

"I am incredibly proud to be a member of Geneva's finest, and it is because of you," he told his staff.

Kidwell, 60, was a patrol officer for four years; his first arrest came on his first night -- a shoplifter.

He was a sergeant for a year, captain for three and has been chief for 27 years. "I just fell in love with the community," Kidwell said. He is especially grateful for the voters who agreed, in a 2002 referendum, to spend money to renovate and expand the police station.

The Geneva job was his first in law enforcement. When he started, Geneva had a population of about 7,200 people. Randall Road, now a bustling shopping corridor, was a two-lane country highway back then.

There's about 24,000 people in Geneva now.

"The biggest change (between 1973 and now) was being part of Geneva's growth," Kidwell said.

The city has not placed any advertisements seeking a new police chief. The mayor said he is consulting with people in and out of city government about the process of hiring a new police chief.