Richardson Police Chief Larry Zacharias announces retirement

by Andrew Laska of Richardson Echo

Zacharias, who has been Chief of Police since 2002, will retire on December 31.

After 31 years of service, Richardson Police Chief Larry Zacharias will retire on December 31, 2008. He has been Chief of Police since 2002.

He started his service with the Richardson Police in 1977 as a patrol officer. As he went through the ranks and was promoted he worked in almost every division including Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations Division, Narcotics Division, Administrative Services Division and Internal Affairs. He also served as SWAT Commander for a time.

Earlier this year the Texas Police Chief’s Association awarded their Career Achievement Award to Richardson Police Chief Larry Zacharias and the Richardson City Council honored him for that achievement by issuing a proclamation. (See photo.)

City Manager Bill Keffler made the announcement today. “Chief Zacharias has accomplished much as Chief of Police and we look forward to celebrating his 31 years of tremendous service as he retires,” Keffler said. “His visionary leadership, strong participatory management style, and high ethical standards have allowed our Police Department to be responsive to community needs and widely respected within the profession. The impact of Chief Zacharias’ service to the Richardson community will be felt for many years to come.”

“The more than 31 years with the Richardson Police Department, six and a half as chief, have been the most rewarding, exciting and fulfilling years I could ever imagine,” Zacharias said. “I am honored to have served this City and I have treasured the constant, strong support of the City Council, the RPD employees and the community over the years.”

Zacharias is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and the F.B.I. National Academy. He serves as an appointee to the Environmental Crimes Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association who honored Zacharias with a Career Achievement Award in 2008. Zacharias received the Community Builder Award from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas in 2006 and he was named Supervisor of the Year his second year as Chief by the Richardson Police Association. He has been selected as an instructor for the F.B.I.’s International Training Program to instruct foreign police agencies on internal conduct and he has taught the class to police officials from Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and 15 Caribbean countries. Zacharias is a graduate of Leadership Richardson Class V, is an ordained Elder and Deacon in the Presbyterian Church and he is active at NorthPark Presbyterian Church.

“Chief Zacharias and I started with the City of Richardson the same week in May 1977, and Zach has been a close friend and a tremendous co-worker over these 31 years,” Keffler said. “The City Council and City staff wish Zach the very best as he pursues his future endeavors.”

Chief Zacharias and his wife, Donna, a special education teacher at Plano East Senior High, have lived in Richardson for more than 25 years. Their daughter, Courtney, who was raised in Richardson, is now a biology teacher in the University Prep program for the Flour Bluff ISD in Corpus Christi.

The Richardson Echo thanks the City of Richardson Communications Department which contributed to this report.