Retiring Chester officer Danny Walls honored for 27 years of service

The Chester City Council Monday night honored a retiring police officer for his years of service to the community.

Police Chief Ryan Coffey and former police chiefs Harold Howie, Richard Clasen and Donal McKinney were in attendance to honor Officer Danny Walls, who has served on the force for the past 27 years.

Coffey spoke of the many experiences police officers face in the line of duty, adding that Walls will always be remembered and respected by those he worked with and those he served and protected.

Coffey and Mayor Tom Page presented Walls with a plaque that reads, "With great honor and recognition for your 27 years of loyal and dedicated service to the City of Chester Police Department."

Many of Wall's fellow officers were also in attendance, along with other retired officers. Walls received a standing ovation from the crowd.

In other council business. Fire Chief Marty Bert recommended that Jared Meyer and Lake Fogerson be added to the Fire Department as auxiliary firefighters. They both have served as Explorers with the department for the past four years. The council unanimously approved Bert's recommendation.

The council also heard from the head of the Sewer Department, Marty Reynolds, who presented Billy Berkbugler for a vacant position in his department. Berkbuglar was unanimously approved and will begin June 1 with a yearly salary of $32,000.

The Council set July 2 as the date for a public hearing on the city's spending plan for the next year. They approved AmArbor Tree Services for removal of dead trees in the city parks. They voted to donate $1,000 to The Community Foundation of Randolph County for the rebuilding of the shelter house at Fort Kaskaskia.