Title
To recognize and commend Deputy Chief John M. Rockwell for his 37 years of distinguished service to the Columbus Division of Police and the City of Columbus upon his retirement on May 28, 2010.
Body
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief John M. Rockwell entered the Columbus Division of Police on July 29, 1973 and has worked his way up through the ranks during his distinguished 37 year career with the Columbus Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Rockwell was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on September 29, 1978, Lieutenant on March 15, 1983, Commander on August 23, 1987, and Deputy Chief on April 27, 1992; and
WHEREAS, as a Police Officer and Sergeant, Rockwell was assigned to the Patrol and S.W.A.T. sections. As a Lieutenant, he was assigned to Patrol, Inspections, and commanded the first Juvenile Violence /Gang Task Force Unit which has been recognized by academia for its innovative and effective methods in attacking organized juvenile violence and crime. As a Commander he supervised Patrol, the Training Academy and the Narcotics Bureau; and
WHEREAS, for the last 18 years, Rockwell has served as a Deputy Chief commanding the Executive, Administrative and Investigative Subdivisions. Most recently he was in charge of the Patrol East/Homeland Security Subdivision; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Rockwell has worked extensively as a liaison for the Columbus Division of Police with Labor Relations, City Hall, the Civil Service Commission and the City Attorney's Office; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Rockwell is the city representative for the Urban Area Security Initiative and serves on the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and the Terrorism Early Warning Group (TEWG) for the Columbus Urban Area. He works closely with the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force on terrorism issues; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Rockwell serves on the Board of Directors for the Coalition against Family Violence and is the chair of the Legal Task Force. He is the past president of the Franklin County Chiefs Association; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, Deputy Chief Rockwell received the Ohio Attorney General's Outstanding Service Award (honorable mention) and in 2002, he was awarded the Mayor's Humanitarian Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Rockwell will be genuinely missed by friends and colleagues as he sets out on the next chapter in his life as the Public Safety Director at Port Columbus International Airport; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That City Council does hereby recognize and commend Deputy Chief John M. Rockwell for his 37 years of distinguished service to the Columbus Division of Police and the City of Columbus upon his retirement on May 28, 2010.
Furthermore this Council does hereby recognize Deputy Chief John M. Rockwell for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for all Columbus residents.