(La Porte, IN) - There’s a new police chief in La Porte.

 

Dick Buell, 71, resigned yesterday.

 

He came out of retirement just over a year ago with the mission of providing veteran leadership and setting a positive example at the young department.

 

“He is my old school type of leader, which I appreciated,” said La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

 

Buell is a former longtime police officer, who later was in charge of the La Porte County Jail then La Porte County Community Corrections.

 

He was replaced by La Porte Police Assistant Chief Matt Drangmeister, a veteran of the department who will serve as acting chief until a permanent replacement is named.

 

Dermody said Buell’s resignation came as a surprise but he also didn’t expect him to hold the position for a long time when hired.

 

“He did exactly and did everything that I could have asked of him.  I wish him well. I think the City of La Porte is in a better place because of him,” he said.