Wood Dale detective to retire after 30 years

After 30 years of dedicated service to the Wood Dale community, Detective Steve Pernice will retire from the police force on May 2, 2018.

Detective Pernice joined the police department as a patrol officer in January of 1988. During the course of his career, Pernice operated as a DARE officer, field training officer, juvenile officer, gang specialist and tobacco compliance enforcement specialist, in addition to serving on multiple task forces. From 2000-2005 Pernice worked with Fenton High School as a resource officer and has co-coordinated the peer jury program since 2002.

An expert on frauds and scams, Pernice was named Detective in 2009 in the Investigations Division working primarily in financial crimes.

"Detective Pernice was a vital component to our operation," said Wood Dale Police Chief Greg Vesta. "His positive attitude and smiling face will be missed by everyone. We all wish him the best in his next step in life."

As an avid hockey fan, Detective Pernice helped organize the Department's Guns 'n Hoses event and was also a participant, having raised thousands of dollars to help benefit the Special Olympics and Ronald McDonald House.

"It was the friendships in Wood Dale," explained Pernice, that he enjoyed the most. "My fellow officers made me feel welcome from the very first day." Pernice extended the same welcome to all those who joined the force after him.

In addition to his strong commitment to the City of Wood Dale, Pernice also raised a family of three with his wife, Chrissie. He looks forward to retiring to be able to spend more time with them and eventually relocate to Florida.