Longtime Toledo Police Chief Moving to Napavine Police Department

John Brockmueller: Outgoing Chief Says Pay a Driving Factor in Move North

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After serving as Toledo’s chief of police for the last 15 years, John Brockmueller is leaving the department for Napavine, where he will serve as chief of police and work to revitalize the city’s police department.

“I’m excited for the challenge of trying to get things going in Napavine again. I think it’s going to be a great department,” Brockmueller said.

The chief position at the Napavine Police Department has been vacant since April, despite the city’s continued efforts to fill the role.

After one candidate turned down the job for another position, the city reopened the job for applicants and Brockmueller decided to apply.

“Basically, it was a money thing. It’s better pay. I love where I’m at but I’m getting to the end of my career. It’s time to start thinking about my end game. That’s the real reason,” Brockmueller said of his decision to move to Napavine. 

“John really stood out because he’s worked quite a bit in our community,” Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill said. “I already knew his name because anytime we had a parade or an event up here, he was always willing to lend a hand … I’ve really always admired his character and his grace with people.”

Brockmueller started at the Toledo Police Department as a reserve officer in 1987, then worked as a provisional officer at the Napavine Police Department from 1981 to 1989 before going back to Toledo to work as a full-time officer.

“It (Napavine) has definitely changed since I’ve been there,” Brockmueller said. “It’s starting to grow very, very quickly, so I’m kind of excited about that. There are a lot of things coming up in that city that are going to be very good for the area so I’m excited about getting into that department and trying to get it up and running again, because it’s kind of dwindled down from what it used to be. I’m anxious to build that up again, something the city can be proud of again.”

The Napavine Police Department has struggled with staffing in recent months and O’Neill hopes that Brockmueller will be able to increase the department’s ability to recruit and retain good police officers.



“He’s the kind of guy that a cop with good integrity would want to work for,” O’Neill said.

When asked what he would miss about working in Toledo, he said, “There’s a lot of things I’m going to miss. First off, the people, the people who work here and live here. I’ve got great relationships with everyone, so I’ll miss all that.”

The Toledo Police Department put Brockmueller through the police academy in 1991 and he became the department’s chief in 2005.

“Toledo’s such a great little city, I’ve got to tell you. It’s been a fabulous little city to work for and be a part of,” Brockmueller said.

Brockmueller officially starts his new job on Oct. 1.

Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh will recommend a candidate to take over as Toledo chief of police at a city council meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20.