ROSCOE, Ill. (WTVO) — Roscoe has a new Chief of Police.

The Village announced on Tuesday that outgoing Chief Jamie Evans will be retiring due to medical concerns. Acting Chief Sam Hawley was sworn in that night.

There were not enough seats in the room at Tuesday night’s swearing in. Almost everyone was in attendance, from his family to friends and members of local police and fire departments.

Hawley has spend the past 25 years in Roscoe.

“Only this department, I’ve never been anywhere else. Plan on being here till I retire,” Hawley said. “I got hired here when I was 20 years old. I turned 21 a couple of weeks before I graduated from the police academy. I started out my career on patrol. I gradually moved up to detective, rank of corporal and then deputy chief. And then now I was interim chief for about a month before coming in the chief of police.”

Hawley was born and raised in Beloit. His family, friends and first responders from the area came out to watch him step into his new role.

“It’s actually probably going to be one of the easiest transitions,” Hawley said. “I’ve worked with Chief for the last couple of years as deputy chief, and she’s been gradually preparing me for this role.”

Chief Jaime Evans held the position for 14 years. She was the first female Chief of Police in Winnebago County.

“She was a great chief, I learned a lot of things from her. I learned how to be a boss, basically, from her,” Hawley said. “She’d go to her for anything that you needed, and the best part I think about most of it was she was also a friend to everybody.”

Hawley wants to continue Evans’ legacy, saying that the years of good policing will continue under his leadership.

“One of my top priorities, really, is just to continue the level of policing that the community has expected of us,” Hawley said. “Chief Evans has created this environment and the safe community. The top priority which is being able to continue that level of security for the public.”

A retirement ceremony for Evans will be held at a special board meeting next Tuesday.