Assistant Chief of Police Gerald Gannon has announced his retirement from the Edmonds Police Department effective June 30. A 32-year department veteran, Gannon was hired on Dec. 16, 1979, after a four-year stint in the United States Marine Corps.

During his service with the Edmonds Police Department, Gannon served as a police officer, a motorcycle officer assigned to traffic enforcement and a detective, including service on the Regional Arson Task Force and the South Snohomish County S.W.A.T Team. He was promoted to sergeant in 1996, assigned to the patrol division, then again promoted to the rank of administrative sergeant in 1999. He became assistant chief of police in 2002.

While an administrative sergeant, Gannon helped the department move into the new Maxwell-McGinnis Public Safety Building that the department now occupies.  He was also a key member of the team that helped Edmonds Police Department achieve national accreditation in 2000 with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Following Edmonds successful accreditation, Gannon served as an assessor for accreditation exercises for other law enforcement agencies.

As assistant chief, he has supervised both the department’s field services and support services division. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2003. Gannon was also named Edmonds Police Officer of the Year in 1995.

Known as a mentor for other officers and those he supervised, Gannon was also active in the Edmonds community, serving as a member of the Edmonds Exchange Club and as a long-time supporter of the Special Olympics Program.