By Karen Gleason
(Editor’s Note: A longer story featuring an interview with Knoll will be published in the coming days.)
City officials confirmed Del Rio Police Department Chief Fred Knoll Jr. has announced his intention to retire in May.
The city this morning released a copy of Knoll’s retirement letter, addressed to City Manager Matt Wojnowski.
Knoll was appointed chief of the Del Rio Police Department in November 2017. He also served as interim chief twice – once in 2012 and again in 2017.
The text of Knoll’s retirement letter, as received from the city, is included below:
Date: April 18, 2021
To: Matt Wojnowski, City Manager
Fr: Fred Knoll, Jr., Chief of Police
Re: Retirement from The City of Del Rio, Texas
Mr. Wojnowski,
Please allow this letter to memorialize the conversation that we had a couple of weeks ago during the month of March 2021, about my plans to consider retiring after 25 years of service to the City of Del Rio, Texas as a member of the Del Rio Police Dept. After a recent offer of employment, I have been able to consider and select a retirement date.
After thoughtful consideration and thoughts about the right timing, there truly never is a right time to leave in the field of work that we do as public servants, as there will always be upcoming emergencies, crisis’ of different types, weather issues, unpleasant pending matters and the list goes on as you know all to well.
Anyhow, I have been offered an opportunity to work as a Field Inspector in the Finance Industry and have accepted an offer of employment and will begin those duties soon after my anticipated retirement date. I appreciate the time and service that I have spent serving our community and doing my best to play a serious role in public safety for the city where I was born and raised. There are several moments and notable incidents that I will never forget that have helped me mature and gain the perspective that I have today.
In closing, my last workday will be May 21st, 2021. I will work with staff diligently to assure that they are familiar with all areas of responsibility and tasks that I perform on a regular basis as to not leave the department without someone knowing how to manage affairs until a replacement plan to fill my vacancy is in place.
Sincerely,
Frederick Knoll, Jr.
