Champaign Police Officer Jeffrey Creel retired this week following 22 years of service to the City of Champaign. He began his law enforcement career in 1993 with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Des Moines, Iowa, before accepting a position with the Chicago Police Department in 1995. In December 2000, he was hired by the Champaign Police Department.
“I feel blessed and humbled to have had a career for nearly 30 years that I truly loved,” said Creel. “I loved it because I worked with selfless people whose goals were to help others every day.”
During his 22 years of service in Champaign, Creel served as a member and leader of multiple specialized units, including spending 20 years as a SWAT Officer, seven years as a member of the Electronics Technician Team, and four years as a Certified Technical Investigator, as certified by the National Technical Investigators Association.
“Jeffrey Creel is an exemplary officer, an exceptional leader, and a great public servant,” said Chief of Police Timothy T. Tyler. “The men and women of the Champaign Police Department are thankful that he has shared his gifts with our department and kept this community safe for 22 years. We will miss his calming presence and his teacher’s spirit, and we wish him the best in his retirement.”
Creel has received numerous accolades during his tenure, including two Medals of Valor, a Purple Heart, and the Gnagey Award for SWAT Officer of the Year on two separate occasions. He has been the recipient of 22 department commendations and five city awards and was among the founding organizers of the Champaign Police Chaplain Program, which brings together local faith leaders to offer a listening ear for law enforcement personnel.
Creel’s final day as an Officer with the Champaign Police Department was Monday, December 19.