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Meeker’s new police chief was sworn in Tuesday during the town’s regular board meeting. Chief Edward Thompson takes over for former chief Phil Stubblefield, who was set to retire at the beginning of April but stayed on an extra month due to current events.
Thompson first came to Meeker in 2013 and went to work at the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. That first stint “gave me the Meeker bug,” he said.
He left to take care of family obligations in Texas, eventually returning to Meeker in 2017 as an officer in the Meeker Police Department. In January 2019 he was offered a position with the RBCSO and has worked there as a patrol deputy, a detention sergeant, and as a patrol sergeant. When Stubblefield announced his retirement, Thompson applied.
He brings 13 years of law enforcement experience to the role, and a philosophy of “fair and consistent.” “Be fair, treat everybody equally, be courteous,” he explained.
Thompson originally hails from south Texas. He moved to Nucla, Colorado, during his junior year of high school where he met his wife. The couple has three children, 11, 9 and 6. His wife just started a new job at the elementary school.
He and his twin brother are both in law enforcement. Thompson started as a dispatcher. When he turned 21 he attended the law enforcement academy at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. He has since worked in Salida, and on both sides of Montrose County for the sheriff’s office there.
Thompson acknowledges that “Officer Friendly” leaves some “big shoes to fill.” He hopes to pick up where Chief Stubblefield left off and looks forward to getting out in the community and meeting more people.[/responsivevoice]
By NIKI TURNER | [email protected]
