Published: July 11, 2008 09:29 am      

Former police chief Dietzen dies

Fellow officers remember him as ‘fair, honest’

DANVILLE — A fixture in city law enforcement for more than two decades died Thursday.

Robert Dietzen, a retired police chief for Danville, died at 1:11 a.m. Thursday in Carle Foundation Hospital at Urbana. He was 78.

The lifelong resident of Danville worked in both city and county law enforcement in Vermilion County. He spent 21 years as police chief for the city of Danville.

A number of current law enforcement officials in the city and county worked with Dietzen during his tenure as chief and recalled what he brought to the position.

“The way I remember him was the most honest, decent individual that I was ever associated with,” said Sheriff Pat Hartshorn, who both worked under Dietzen while sheriff and alongside him as fellow administrators.

“The word integrity is the best way to describe Bob,” he added.

Dietzen started off his career serving the community in 1967 when he was elected the city’s parks commissioner. He was elected again in 1971, but then stepped aside to run for sheriff in 1974.

His election to sheriff was only for three years, however, after then-Mayor David S. Palmer appointed him police chief during the last six months of his term in 1978. He served in that role until retiring in the summer of 1999 at age 69.

Police Deputy Director Doug Miller came on the force around the same time Dietzen was appointed police chief. During the next 21 years, Miller said the chief was the “fairest and most honest” supervisor he’s worked work.

“He had the department at heart,” Miller said “He was here sometimes 10, 12, 14 hours a day.

“A big part of himself was dedicated to the department and to the city.”

Dietzen accomplished a number of goals now considered commonplace for police and the community, including helping in the formation of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program for residents. He also stressed continual training for select units as well as updates for patrol officers and new techniques for investigators.

Department of Public Safety Director Larry Thomason recalled Dietzen’s career starting as park commissioner. He noted each position Dietzen held came with the same attitude, including police chief.

“He showed a genuine concern for the community from the time he started,” Thomason said. “That’s one of the inspirations I got from him as to how much he cared for the community.”

Pape Memorial Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.