By Kristine Thomas
The sudden resignation of Mount Angel Police Chief Brent Earhart has left many community members asking why.
Earhart, 54, submitted a letter of resignation to City Administrator Susan Muir at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21.
The resignation was effective immediately.
“I have served this city with pride and honor since my hire in 2002,” Earhart wrote on department letterhead, “I have made many innovations in the Police Department and brought it up to current standards. I am proud to have worked for and with the wonderful citizens and business people of this city and wish them well.”
Since resigning the former chief has declined to be interviewed. He has hired Don Kelley as his attorney.
Muir will function as the head of the police department until she appoints an interim police chief. In the meantime, she said, Mount Angel Police Officer Jeff Charpilloz will be the lead on operations for the police department.
Earhart has been in police work for 29 years. He was a member of the attorney general’s Underage Drinking Task Force, and an Oregon Association Chiefs of Police mentor.
Muir said when she arrived in Mount Angel a little more than six months ago, it was clear to her many people in the community appreciated Earhart’s commitment to safety in the community.
“He built great working relationships with businesses, the schools and others across our community. We wish him the best,” Muir said.
Earhart was honored in 2009 as the Mount Angel First Citizen for 2008. Twelve people signed the nomination.
In an article in the February 2009 Our Town Life, former Mount Angel Mayor Tom Bauman said, “Brent is a professional through and through, whether he is working with the youth of our community or adults. We are lucky to have him.”
In the same article, John Gooley, president of Oktoberfest said, “I hate to think of the day when we have to work with another person because Brent is the best chief of police for Mount Angel we ever had.”
Under Earhart’s leadership, the Mount Angel Police department assisted the Woodburn Police and other jurisdictions when a bomb exploded at a Woodburn bank, killing two officers and seriously injuring a third. His team also provided back-up services to the Silverton Police Department during an officer-involved shooting in 2008. Earhart filled in as interim city administrator from June 2007-January 2008.
The Mount Angel City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1 in the Mount Angel Library.
