Former Springfield Police Department chief dies

provided by city of Springfield

Lynn Rowe worked nearly five decades in law enforcement.

A former longtime chief of the Springfield Police Department has died.

Lynn Rowe, 79, died Nov. 15, according to his obituary posted to GreenlawnFuneralHome.com.

Rowe led the SPD as chief 1993-2010, part of his nearly five decades in law enforcement, according to a news release.

"Chief Rowe’s leadership of the Springfield Police Department created a legacy of ethical, professional excellence that continues to this day," said Paul Williams, SPD’s current chief, in the release. "I was honored to follow him and build on the foundation he established as the longest-serving police chief in the 160-year history of the department."

During his time as chief, Rowe is credited with pursuing and maintaining law enforcement accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, establishing the Citizens Police Academy, supporting the creation of the Police Civilian Review Board and overseeing an expansion of policing services through the remodeling of the SPD headquarters and the building of a south district station. According to the release, Rowe was instrumental in the passage of the police-fire pension tax in 2009, just before his retirement.

Rowe additionally served as a board member of Community Partnership of the Ozarks and City Utilities of Springfield, and he helped establish the Greene County 100 Club nonprofit to provide financial support for surviving spouses and children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.