Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this feature and took the photo.
On Monday, February 13, 2023, the position of Morrison Police Chief was officially filled by Pedro Valladares, Jr. He owns a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Illinois University.
Chief Valladares returns to Law Enforcement following his 2021 retirement from the Moline[, IL,] Police Department. He ended his 25 years of service, to aid in the care of his ailing mother. Following her passing in 2022, he experienced the loss of being involved in helping others and began the search for reinstatement in the Law Enforcement community. He noted, “I missed helping people!”
The Valladares’s family includes his wife Silvia, employed in the Moline School District, and his adult daughter, Rebecca.
Law Enforcement “excited” the Chief as early as his Senior year at Moline High School. He remains committed to the profession, after almost three decades of service. His work in Moline focused within a smaller area of needs in the large City. That allowed him the opportunity to get to know the citizens on a personal basis. He looks forward to accomplishing the same comradery with the citizens of Morrison.
Learning the current procedures in place ranks as his top priority. He looks forward to getting to know everyone in the community and the parts people play in improving Morrison. Chief Valladares says that he is “very approachable,” and he welcomes conversation and interaction with all citizens.
His immediate attention will be focused on the schools, “creating an environment” where the students feel safe and at ease with their student-officer interactions.
He asked the community to continue working together with the Morrison Police Department, in developing “the mentality that will aid in keeping crime out our community.”
Chief Pedro Valladares added he feels “totally honored to serve Morrison, and I will serve you to the best of my ability.”