Zionsville Police Department Chief Robert Knox will retire this spring after more than 40 years as a police officer.
Chief Knox has been an officer with ZPD for 36 years and Chief of Police for the last 8.5 years. Knox’s last day will be April 6. Chief Knox plans on addressing the Zionsville Town Council during the April 6 Town Council meeting.
“For more than 36 years, Chief Knox has served the Town of Zionsville, keeping our resident's safety his priority,” Mayor Emily Styron said in a statement. “Chief Knox has strengthened community partnerships and started or expanded many successful initiatives within the department: School Resource Officers in every Zionsville school, Coffee with a Cop, the drug takeback program and the widely popular Teen and Citizens Academy. Under his leadership, Zionsville Police Department has grown significantly and added state-of-the-art technology. The Chief's long and successful career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our community. I wish Chief Knox much happiness in his retirement - he certainly has earned it.”
In addition to the launch of these successful community outreach programs, Chief Knox has significantly expanded the department. At the start of his career, there were only five full-time officers within the department. There are now 38 full-time officers. Chief Knox also brought back the department’s K-9 unit, equipped officers with body cameras, added a Crime Scene Response Vehicle to ZPD’s fleet and oversaw many other upgrades in equipment and technology.
“I wish to thank everyone who I have worked with over the last four decades,” said Chief Knox. “I have had the opportunity to learn from and work with some of the most amazing officers and investigators throughout my career. Becoming the Chief of Police was more than I could have ever dreamed of. I am truly going to miss the opportunity to serve the community that I love. I have been very blessed. My wife Karin and I will continue to pray for a shield of protection over my brothers and sisters at the Zionsville Police Department, all of public safety and the citizens of the great Town of Zionsville.”