Mailbag: Farewell letter from Lyons Police Chief Bill Crist

Greetings,

My time here in Lyons is rapidly coming to an end. I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to have served as your police chief for the last 6 years. I am both humbled and honored to have been a part of this community. Not many Police Officers get the chance to experience an assignment like this. Someone once said that the “days and weeks can drag on, but the years fly by”, how true that is. Seems like just yesterday I was attending my first board meeting and hosting a community meeting about speeding in town.

As I look back, I can reminisce on many of the highlights that have taken place during my tenure. There have also been a fair number of trials and tribulations that we all went through. What makes these memories stand out is how well we all worked together to solve issues and further improve the quality of life in our town. I have always said “if you want to look good, surround yourself with good people”. I think it goes without saying that Lyons is full of not only good people, but GREAT people! You all have made my job easy and very much enjoyable. Even when times were a little rocky, and I felt like I was standing alone, I knew I had the overwhelming support of all of you.

My experience as your chief has made me a better leader, and more importantly a better person. I have learned a great deal in the past six years, fostered old friendships and developed amazing new relationships with many, many people that I will cherish as I move on. I won’t be going very far as my next assignment will be back to the streets as a patrol Sergeant for the entire county of Boulder. I will still be coming in and out of town at times and you can count on seeing me at all the great Lyons events and festivals that are held throughout the year.

I’m pleased to announce that Lyons will be left in the very capable hands of your new incoming chief, Sgt. Cody Sears, on January 22, 2023. Cody is a 14-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office. Cody has been shadowing me for the last few months and is up to speed with anything that involves the town and surrounding area. He will be a great fit into this very special community.

I want to thank all the people in town who have supported me and the Sheriff’s Office these past years. A Special thanks also goes out to the entire Lyons town staff, both past and present who guided me in the right direction as I learned the policies, procedures and nuances of policing a small town.

Take care of each other, stay in touch and stay safe!
 
……………………Respectfully, Sergeant Bill Crist

Note: This letter was submitted to the Town of Lyons Board of Trustees initially. And when the Lyons Recorder requested a farewell statement from Sgt. Crist, he submitted this. It “says it all” and therefore, we are reprinting it “as is.”