Inman spent 22 years with department, 18 in investigations

ROCHELLE – Rochelle Police Department Deputy Chief Terry Inman has announced his upcoming retirement following 22 years of dedicated service to the City of Rochelle, a March 17 city press release said.

Fresh out of high school, DC Inman joined the Navy in 1987. He served two years of active duty and continued his service in the reserves for an additional eight years. In the fall of 1989, he enrolled at Western Illinois University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration.

In 2001, Inman joined the Rochelle Police Department as a patrol officer. He was assigned to the investigations division in 2004 where he served until his promotion to the deputy chief position in 2022. In 2023, when the City of Rochelle announced an early retirement incentive, Inman decided to move forward with retirement plans.

“Losing great people is the downside of offering early retirement incentives,” City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said. “I wish Terry well and will truly miss his expertise in the police department.”

In his time with the Rochelle Police Department, DC Inman served on the ILEAS Mobile Force, the Illinois Child Death Review Committee and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. One of the most memorable times in his career was being deployed to the 2008 Republican National Convention through his work with the ILEAS Mobile Force.  

When asked about cases that he felt proud to solve, Inman shared the story of an individual operating a check scam locally. 

“You typically don’t catch the people,” Inman said. “These types of things typically originate elsewhere or even outside the country.”

In addition to the three special task forces, Inman obtained a master’s degree in biosecurity and disaster preparedness and was named the City of Rochelle’s emergency management coordinator in 2013. Since then, he has worked with numerous local organizations to implement emergency response plans and to enhance the levels of preparedness for a local incident. Inman was a driving force behind multiple full-scale, multi-agency disaster exercises.  

On the future of the department, Inman remarked that he has enjoyed being part of the process to bring in several new officers and expressed his excitement about those who are heading to the police academy soon. Inman’s retirement plans include pursuing opportunities in the corporate sector, spending time with his family & dogs, and reading.  

The community is invited to wish DC Inman well at an Open House on Tuesday April 4 from 3-5 p.m. at City Hall.