Months after stepping down as Libertyville police chief — following a leave of absence — Clint Herdegen has died, Libertyville Police Department officials confirmed.
Herdegen, 61, died at his home Nov. 22 surrounded by his family, police department officials said. Herdegen retired from his role as police chief in July. Before his retirement, he had been on leave since December 2020 for an undisclosed illness.
Mayor Donna Johnson opened the Nov. 23 Village Board meeting with a tribute to Herdegen, calling him a friend and asking those watching the meeting virtually to keep his family in their prayers. During her remarks, Johnson said he had a gift at handling community and leadership.
“My heart is very heavy and full, and bear with me if I lose my composure a little bit,” Johnson said. “Clint was a warm, personable family person with a good sense of humor.”
He is also being remembered for his leadership, community skills and his approachability. Along with serving in high-profile roles in two police departments, he was a member of several law enforcement boards and programs.
Having served in law enforcement for four decades, Herdegen was police chief for close to 23 of those years. Before starting in 2010 as the Libertyville chief, he’d spent almost 30 years with the Hoffman Estates Police Department, 12 of which were as chief, officials said.
Along with his roles with those two police departments, Herdegen was the president of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, chairman of the Northwest Police Academy and former president of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory, officials said.
“We ask that you keep Chief Herdegen’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” a social media post from the Libertyville Police Department states.