Village of Westmont
Date Issued: September 1, 2016
After almost 4 decades of service with the Westmont Police Department, Police Chief Tom Mulhearn is retiring. His retirement will become official on Oct. 7, 2016.
“Tom has been a great ambassador for the Village of Westmont,” said Mayor Ron Gunter. “He is so well liked and respected by not only our residents and the community, but also by the numerous Police Departments throughout the area. We have great praise for Tom and all he has done.”
Mulhearn began his law enforcement career in 1974 as a Cadet/Dispatcher for the Broadview Police Department. In 1977, he became a Police Officer with the Westmont Police Department. Over the years, Tom has held many positions with the Westmont Police Department including Patrolman, Detective, Juvenile Officer, Sergeant, Detective Division Commander, School Resource Officer, Deputy Liquor Commissioner, Deputy Chief of Police, Acting Chief of Police, and Chief of Police. Tom served as Westmont Chief of Police for 7 years from 2009 to 2016.
Chief Mulhearn earned a number of awards and accolades during his time with the Westmont Police Department. In 1998, Tom received the Joseph T. Gurak Memorial Award as Juvenile Officer of the Year for DuPage County. He was elected President of the DuPage Juvenile Officers Association in 2002. He began the Westmont School Resource Officer Program in 2007. In March of 2007, Mulhearn received the inaugural Public Safety Officer of the Year Award from the Westmont Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, he received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Westmont Rotary Club. Tom has also served as the First Vice President of the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association. Tom is currently a member of the Westmont Rotary and the Westmont Lions.
Mulhearn graduated from Triton Community College and completed his basic law enforcement training at the Chicago police Academy in 1977. He has attended additional training at Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center for Domestic Preparedness. In 2007, he attended the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, VA and is currently a member of the FBI National Academy Alumni Association.
“It has been my honor to serve the people of Westmont,” said Chief Mulhearn, who has been a Westmont resident since 1977. “I have worked on several serious crimes in which we brought criminals to justice, but my greatest pride comes from being able to serve all of the wonderful people I have met and worked with. I have been lucky to forge great friendships that I value very much. The other day, a resident told me ‘I hate to see you go because you’re the nicest police officer I’ve ever met.’ That remark means everything to me. I have always strived to serve the people and do so in a manner that is respectful and friendly. I’ve truly enjoyed helping and serving our citizens. It has been my honor.”
The Village of Westmont thanks Tom for his many years of dedication and service. We wish Chief Mulhearn a long and happy retirement.
PICTURE CAPTION: Retiring Police Chief Tom Mulhearn is recognized by the Westmont Fire Department and made an honorary fireman at the Westmont Street Fair & Fire Truck Night on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016. Left to right - Village Manager Steve May, Fire Chief Dave Weiss, Police Chief Tom Mulhearn, and Mayor Ron Gunter.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
