Port Edwards native Joseph Zurfluh named new Grand Rapids police chief

GRAND RAPIDS − The new police chief will be a familiar face to many people in the Grand Rapids area.

The Town of Grand Rapids Police and Fire Commission announced Thursday the appointment of Joseph M. Zurfluh as the new Grand Rapids police chief.

Zurfluh will take over the position left vacant by the retirement of Police Chief Melvin Pedersen . Pedersen announced his retirement in April, had his last day June 2 and his "Chief Mel Pedersen's Retirement Bike Ride" in July. He became the Grand Rapids Police chief in 2014, after his mandatory retirement from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at age 57.

Zurfluh grew up in Port Edwards and brings 20 years of experience with him to the Grand Rapids Police Department. He began his career as a deputy with the Wood County Sheriff's Department in 2004. He was promoted to sergeant, investigator and then to lieutenant. He served in the U.S. Army and was a military police officer prior to joining the Wood County Sheriff's Office.

"I am honored and humbled to have been selected following the process for such a competitive position with a great township," Zurfluh said in a news release from the Police and Fire Commission. "I look forward to serving the town of Grand Rapids community, and the employees of the Grand Rapids Police Department."

The Police and Fire Commission had a strong slate of candidates and the selection of the chief was a difficult decision for the members, Commission President Bobby Donahue said in the release. The commission is confident Zurfluh will be a trusted leader, mentor of future leaders and will continue the outstanding reputation of the Grand Rapids Police Department, he said.

Town Chairwoman Amber France said Zurfluh's experience in community policing, including in Wood County, makes him ideally suited to be the new chief.

Zurfluh will start his new position on Sept. 2.

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Contact Karen Madden at (715) 345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33 .

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Port Edwards native Joseph Zurfluh named new Grand Rapids police chief