The Town of North Judson is beginning the process of moving ahead, after the death of Town Marshal Doug Vessely last Friday. A moment of silence was observed at the beginning of a rescheduled town council meeting, Thursday.
Then, council members formally began the process of looking for a replacement. They voted to advertise for a new town marshal as well as a police officer.
While that search takes place, North Judson police officer Frank Thomas will serve as interim marshal. “I’m going to step in and do what has to be done for the time-being, until all these people decide what they want to do because obviously, we have to look out for the town,” he said. “But he was a great man, he was a great cop. He got me where I am today. And I just wanted to clarify, so that you understand, I’m not trying to fill his shoes, because that’s not possible.”
Thomas was appointed as interim shortly after Vessely’s death, according to Council President Wendy Hoppe. The council decided to formally confirm that appointment during Thursday’s meeting.
Vessely’s wife Cindy also shared a few comments, “First, I want to thank the board for allowing him to serve as chief of police. He loved this town, and he did his job. He did it good. For whoever doesn’t think he did, Tuesday answered that question, for anybody who doubted it.”
North Judson police officers served as pallbearers during funeral services Tuesday. Visitation was held Monday, causing the town’s regular meeting to be rescheduled.
