Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook to Retire

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Police Chief Earl L. Cook is retiring after more than 37 years of service to the City of Alexandria, effective Oct. 1, the police department announced Friday afternoon.

“Chief Cook has devoted his entire career to this community, and we are indebted to him for his dedication and service,” City Manager Mark B. Jinks said in the announcement from the City. “Alexandria’s high quality of life and historically low crime rates are due in large part to Chief Cook’s leadership and the outstanding staff under his decades of command.”

Mayor Allison Silberberg also weighed in on the chief's announcement Friday: "While I certainly wish Chief Earl Cook all good and great things in his well-deserved retirement, I am personally sorry to hear about his retirement," she said in an announcement.

"Chief Cook has been an outstanding police chief and public servant in our beloved city for decades," she said. "He has also been my good friend and a good friend to all. His leadership and compassion in our city will be sorely missed. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Chief Cook for all his dedication and sacrifice all these years. Thankfully, our bond of friendship with Chief Cook will endure. I feel very blessed to have served beside Chief Cook. As I have stated many times publicly and privately, we are blessed to have a golden triangle of public safety with Chief Earl Cook, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, and Chief Robert Dubé. Again, my heartfelt thanks to Chief Cook for all he has done for our community to make it better for all."

Cook began as a police academy recruit in January 1979. Upon graduation, he worked in patrol and criminal investigations through 1989. Over the next six years, he was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief. As assistant chief, he managed the criminal investigations bureau, and was named deputy chief in that role three years later. In 2006, he rose to the position of executive deputy chief, serving as second in command; acting for the chief in his absence; and providing significant direction on the police department’s policy and budget. In 2009, Cook became the first African American in the City’s history to serve as chief of police, assuming command of more than 400 officers and civilians.

The City has retained the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to recruit Cook’s successor from among the talented law enforcement leadership within the Alexandria Police Department and across the nation. The search will include input from stakeholders throughout the community; additional details will be announced as they are developed.

Cook was born and raised in Alexandria. He grew up on Princess Street and attended Lyles-Crouch Elementary School, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Parker-Gray Middle School and George Washington High School through 10th grade. He transferred to T.C. Williams High School after the school was integrated, and became a member of the historic Titans football team. After graduating from T. C. Williams in 1973, he attended Duke University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education. Cook is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s prestigious National Academy Program. In addition to his distinguished law enforcement career, he has been a champion of youth initiatives and mentoring.

“As a lifelong Alexandrian, it’s been an incredible honor to serve this very special community,” said Cook. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to pursue a rewarding career and work with some of the finest men and women in law enforcement. My retirement is bittersweet; however, I look forward to the future challenges in my life."

PHOTO of Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook courtesy of City of Alexandria