RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender announced Friday that he has appointed Don Hedrick as interim police chief of the Rapid City Police Department.
Hedrick, a native of Lakefield, MN, is currently service as assistant chief of police, and steps in as interim chief for Karl Jegeris, who announced his retirement last month as police chief and is effective as of Friday, June 26.
Jegeris had served with the Rapid City Police Department since 1995.
Mayor Steve Allender shared sentiments on the occasion of Jegeris’ retirement and the selection of Hedrick as interim police chief.
“Rapid City and its citizens have been served well by the sense of community, compassion and calm leadership style of Karl Jegeris during his quarter century of work with the Rapid City Police Department,” said Allender. “I am honored to have served with him for years in law enforcement and I have been pleased with the direction he has guided the department in as chief.
Mayor Allender expects the selection process for a new police chief to be completed in August, anticipates an internal selection from within Rapid City’s police department, and indicates the process will include a review of applicants and interviews by a panel of citizens and community leaders.
Hedrick began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Rapid City Police Department, serving as detective, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, special operations lieutenant and captain of the department’s support services division.
