After nine years in Udall, Chief of Police Matt Dennis is saying goodbye and heading east for a new job as police chief in Cherryvale.
“I am very excited for the opportunity and a little nervous at the same time,” said Dennis. “It’s a big change.”
Dennis, 35, began his law enforcement career in Udall in 1998 as a part-time officer. By 2001 he had climbed the ladder to chief at the age of 29. Dennis credits former Udall mayor Bill Hilderbrand for helping him land the top job.
“I owe a lot of gratitude to Bill,” said Dennis. “He’s the reason I became chief here.”
Cherryvale, population 2,300, is a step up in size for Dennis, who cut his law enforcement teeth in the small town of 800. While in Udall Dennis was responsible for launching a number of programs and improvements such as bicycle patrols, child safety programs and a new policy for the use of Taser guns.
City council member Mary Hilderbrand said she is happy for Dennis, but the young chief will be greatly missed.
“He’s done a wonderful job and we appreciate him,” said Hilderbrand, who is the wife of the former mayor. “We’re happy with the improvements he’s made inside the town. We’re thrilled for him and wish him well.”
Hilderbrand also said Dennis had done a good job working with a small budget, stretched even thinner by high gas prices.
“Gas is expensive and (spending more on gas) hindered him on other things he needed,” she said.
A computer buff, Dennis was instrumental in setting up various websites throughout the city of Udall, including the city, police and fire departments. He also set up a website for the City of Cherryvale, he said. His computer and video business is called Box72 Productions and samples of his work can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/user/box72productions.
Dennis plans to ready his house for sale and look for a new home in Cherryvale. Hilderbrand says the city will wait until Dennis sells his home before proceeding with a search for a new chief.
The process could take months, Dennis said, but it’s giving him time to say his goodbyes.
“It was a very hard decision, since I have been here in Udall for nine years,” he said. “It is very hard to leave Udall. I have met many great people here. Udall and the people here will always have a place in my heart.”
Dennis and his wife, Rachel, are looking forward to being in Cherryvale and nearer to Fall River Lake where his family has land.
