Champaign Police Detective Sergeant David Griffet is retiring following 31 years of service to Champaign County, and 25 to the city of Champaign. Griffet’s final day at the department is today, Friday, July 9.
“I have been blessed to lead a career I love and I have always tried to put to the community first and to treat people as I would want to be treated,” said Griffet. “Our work in law enforcement is not easy, but I am proud of the colleagues I have been able to work with, learn from and lead. To this day, I remind people what former Chief Don Carter once told me, ‘treat everyone in the way you would want someone to treat your mother or your sister and you will never go wrong,’ and I truly believe in that. I’d like to thank everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of serving with, to Chief Cobb, and to all the special relationships I have been able to form in the community.”
Griffet began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. In 1996, he was hired by the Champaign Police Department. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and assisted in several different areas of the department and city. He served as a Traffic Sergeant, Community Activity Team (CAT) Sergeant, and in 2012 was promoted to Detective Sergeant. Since 2013, he has served as a member on the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Griffet was Champaign Police’s 1998 Officer of the Year, and in 2019, was presented the Distinguished Leadership Award by Chief of Police Anthony Cobb for his work helping lead the Investigations Division. He has been the recipient of several department commendations and city awards and has been the architect for Champaign Police’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ program for several years, helping kids and families across our community have the opportunity to enjoy and celebrate the holidays.
“Detective Sergeant Griffet has always understood the importance of relationships and how to fairly and effectively enforce the law, and his expertise and leadership will be sorely missed,” said Chief Cobb. “I’m not sure there is a harder worker then Sergeant Griffet – he’s routinely the first one in the office and the last one to leave. His selfless demeanor, sense of humor and devotion to public safety and community well-being will be missed, and I wish the very best as he moves into the next chapter of his life.”