thompsonFredVALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP-CSi) – The chief of the Valley City Police Department in eastern North Dakota is resigning after spending nearly 40 years in law enforcement.
 Chief Fred Thompson says that his resignation will be effective in January. Thompson says he wants to spend more time with his family.
 
     Valley City Administrator David Schelkoph says Thompson has been with the department for more than three years. He says the citizens of Valley City are safer because of the work Thompson has done.

 The following is the letter of resignation tendered by Police Chief Fred Thompson:

“I have now been in the business of policing for 7 years part-time and 32 years full-time.  Over those years I have missed countless family gatherings, birthday parties, celebrations, and other events in life that people hold dear in my steadfast desire to serve the public good and to be the best that I could be in my profession. I have recently learned that my eighth grandchild, a grandson, will be born in the first part of February 2016.  With this in mind I have made the decision that I am not going to miss spending time with this grandchild as I have done way to often with the others.  I intend to tender my resignation as the Chief of Police for the Valley City Police Department effective 1700 hours on January 15, 2016.  I want to inform you that it has been a pleasure serving the Valley City Police Department and the citizens of Valley City.”