By Shereen Siewert
WESTON — After 33 years in law enforcement including nine years with the Everest Metro Police Department, Chief Wally Sparks will retire in March.
Sparks, in a phone interview Wednesday with Wausau Pilot and Review, said he informed the Everest Metro Police Commission several weeks ago of his decision, giving officials ample time to find a replacement.
Sparks said commission members are set to interview a “strong internal candidate” for the position next week.
“I suspect they’ll probably make a decision fairly soon,” Sparks said.
The commission is set to go into closed session during a meeting on Wed., Oct. 11 to interview the candidate, whose name has not been publicly released.
Before joining Everest Metro nine years ago, Sparks spent 23 years with the Mount Pleasant Police Department in Racine County. He is also an adjunct professor with Upper Iowa University and said he plans to continue teaching after his retirement from the department.
Sparks is one of two area police chiefs set to retire in 2018. Wausau Police Chief Jeff Hardel announced months ago he would retire in February. City leaders in Wausau are currently searching for Hardel’s replacement.
Hardel will retire Feb. 23. Sparks said his last day will be March 2, one day before he leaves for a mission trip with Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
