Springfield, Mo. ~ The Springfield community is mourning the loss of former Police Chief Lynn Rowe, who served the city from 1993 to 2010. Chief Rowe began his 46-year law enforcement career with the Adams County Colorado Sheriff's Department and came to Springfield after serving as Chief of Police in Cape Coral, Florida, and Northglen, Colorado.

Chief Paul Williams, who succeeded Chief Rowe in 2010, said "Chief Rowe's leadership of the Springfield Police Department created a legacy of ethical, professional excellence that continues to this day. I was honored to follow him and build on the foundation he established as the longest serving police chief in the 160-year history of the department."

Chief Rowe was an innovative leader who was dedicated to professionalism. He pursued and maintained law enforcement accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for SPD throughout his tenure. He established the Citizens Police Academy and supported the creation of the Police Civilian Review Board as well as established a police service dog program. Chief Rowe oversaw an expansion of policing services in Springfield through the remodeling of police headquarters and the building of the South District Station, along with the merger of city and county jails in 2004. Before his retirement, he was instrumental in passing a police-fire pension tax in 2009. He served as president of Missouri Police Chiefs Association in 2003 and was named Missouri Police Chief of Year 2006. As a member of International Association Chiefs Police (IACP), Chief Rowe served on training committee and public image ethics committee.

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Chief Rowe is remembered as a community advocate having served on board Community Partnership Ozarks throughout his tenure as well as after retirement on City Utilities Board Directors from 2017-2022. He also helped establish Greene County 100 Club, not-for-profit organization providing financial support surviving spouse children police officers firefighters killed line duty county.

He is survived by wife three children five grandchildren; visitation will be held tomorrow Nov 21 2023 3-6 p m Greenlawn East Funeral Home 3540 E Seminole Springfield In lieu flowers memorial contributions family suggests donations made Greene County 100 Club

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