Beecher, IL – Police Chief Terry Lemming was named Thursday the 2023 Chief of the Year Award presented by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP).
Lemming was selected by a committee from ILACP’s 1,400+ member statewide organization for excelling in his own department and providing extraordinary service to the association.
Lemming started his career in local law enforcement and later joined the Illinois State Police in 1989. He spent 25 years with ISP where his primary assignments were multi-jurisdictional drug task forces, making him an expert in fighting drug abuse. He was also Illinois’ representative to the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies from 2004 to 2008.
After retiring from ISP, Lemming became the Chief of Police in the City of Lockport in 2014, where he implemented a Safe Passage Program and revived the Chaplains Program to counsel both officers and residents. He also started the charitable organization “Lockport Love” to help residents in times of need. In 2022, Lemming was appointed Chief of Police in the Village of Beecher, where he quickly established a drug education program called “Too Good for Drugs” in the elementary schools.
“Chief Lemming has impressed me with his professionalism, honesty, and dedication to duty… he consistently goes above and beyond, and his impact in this community will be felt long after he leaves us,” said Beecher Village President Marcy Meyer.
In addition to his community efforts, Lemming has been a long-time supporter of ILACP and a member since 1998. He is currently the Vice-Chairman of the association’s Legislative Committee, leading efforts by the association to fight the recreational cannabis law and make positive changes to numerous other pieces of legislation. He has also been an active member of the Police Chiefs Association of Will County and has been its long-serving legislative liaison.
ILACP Executive Director Kenny Winslow said, “Chief Lemming is a role model for all chiefs. He is well respected and held in high regard by his peers from around the state for his work ethic, knowledge, and experience. His ‘can-do attitude’ and ‘willingness to think outside of the box’ along with his servant leadership style and magnetic personality…”
Beecher Village Administrator Robert Barber stated, “Chief Lemming did not treat this as a ‘short-term gig’ and dug right into addressing the needs of our community, our department, and our officers. His involvement in the community is far beyond anything we ever expected from the chief’s position, and he has truly made a connection with our community.”
Police chiefs from across Illinois have expressed their congratulations to Chief Lemming for winning the award.
