UPDATED 10 a.m. | Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner was confirmed Thursday to become the next U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Illinois.
His full Senate confirmation was announced by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats from Illinois.
“Through many years of service to Illinois, Brendan Heffner has demonstrated strong qualifications to serve as United States Marshal," Durbin and Duckworth said in a statement. "We expect him to serve with professionalism, responsibility, and a clear focus on the mission of the Marshals Service. We look forward to working with him in his new role."
Heffner has served as Bloomington's chief since 2013. He retired from the Illinois State Police as a lieutenant colonel in 2010. The Illinois State University graduate began his career as a Normal Police officer in the mid-1980s.
It's unclear when Heffner will leave his job with the City of Bloomington.
"The City of Bloomington congratulates Police Chief Brendan Heffner on his confirmation as the next U.S. marshal for the Central District of Illinois," the city said in a statement Friday. "He has served the City with outstanding integrity and professionalism since 2013, and we wish great success.
"While there is not yet a timeline for this transition, Chief Heffner remains committed to Bloomington for as long as he is here and places the safety of our community as his number one priority. We have been discussing succession planning internally and will have more information available in the next few days or so. Chief Heffner built a very capable team in his department, and we deeply appreciate his contributions to the City."
Heffner said he was approached about the position.
"I was not job-hunting in any way, shape or form," Heffner told GLT recently. "This is an opportunity that does not come around a lot in one's lifetime."
The U.S. Marshals are responsible for security at federal courthouses, for those in federal custody, and fugitive task forces, among other duties.
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