January 24, 2023
Montgomery, Illinois – At the Village Board Meeting on Monday, January 23, 2023, Mayor Matt Brolley and Chief of Police Phillip J. Smith formally welcomed three new Officers to the Montgomery Police Department. The new Officers include Damion Woods, Caine Culver, and Kevin Lessner. The three are currently completing their field training with the Department.
The swearing-in occurred at Montgomery Village Hall (200 N. River St.) in a packed Village Board Room. Damion Woods, the first Officer sworn in, comes to Montgomery from the Gary Police Department in Indiana. Newly married, Woods says he loves community policing and is grateful to do it closer to home. The second Officer sworn in was Caine Culver, a West Aurora High School alum who graduated from Western Illinois University in 2018 with a law enforcement and criminal justice degree. He was joined by his parents, brother, and girlfriend. The last ceremonial swearing-in was for Officer Kevin Lessner. After a few years in the corporate world, he realized his true passion for protecting and serving. His fiance, a Glendale Heights Police Officer, pinned on his Badge during the ceremony.
"This is the most officers we have probably ever sworn in at one time," said Mayor Brolley when introducing Chief Smith. He commended the packed house, which included several officers representing all ranks and divisions of the Montgomery Police Department family, including patrol, investigations, records, evidence, and community service officer division. "We won't keep you as I know many of you need to head back to the streets but thank you for what you do for this community every day and for the camaraderie and support you show your fellow Officers each day."
"I could not be more proud of the fantastic group of women and men we have serving the Montgomery community currently, " said Chief Smith following the presentation. "It is an exciting time for this Department, and I look forward to watching these three Officers join the ranks. Looking out into the crowd tonight demonstrated how strong the blue line is in Montgomery. We are fortunate to have a tremendous force, a strong supportive staff, and an administration and Board that supports what we do 24/7 to protect and serve the Village."
Approved images from the event are available online and linked below in the Image Gallery. For questions and additional information on the Officers, please contact Commander Liz Palko at palko@ci.montgomery.il.us.
IMAGE GALLERY