Marion police chief announces retirement

Marion Police Chief Mike Kitsmiller announced Thursday he plans to retire in April after serving for about five years.

“I like to think I’ll be leaving the department a little better off than when I got here,” Kitsmiller said in a statement distributed by the city. “I hope the next chief, and the one after him or her, can do the same thing.”

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Kitsmiller was hired in 2019 to be chief by then-City Manager Lon Pluckhahn, overseeing a department with 45 sworn officers and 15 civilian employees. Kitsmiller has worked in law enforcement for 38 years, holding past positions with the Memphis Police Department and, for 20 years, with the FBI. He is paid $167,527 a year.

While chief in Marion, Kitsmiller, 61, helped implement a new records management system and online data hub, and helped lead the city’s response to the August 2020 derecho.

“Our community is fortunate to have had Mike Kitsmiller as its chief of police,” Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly said in a statement. “He has demonstrated strength, leadership and compassion in times of adversity and made a positive impact in our region through his invaluable experience and service.”

Although the retirement was announced Thursday, the city has known about Kitsmiller’s plans for weeks, and has hired a recruitment firm -- MGT Impact Solutions -- help with hiring a replacement. In the meantime, Deputy Police Chief Chad Nott will serve as interim chief.

“Chief Kitsmiller’s approach has been forward-thinking and community-focused since day one,” said City Manager Ryan Waller. “His intellect, voice of reason and sense of humor will be deeply missed among our team.”

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