Knox police chief leaving for job in Michigan

Knox Borough police Chief Jason Bowen (left) is leaving to take a position with Michigan State Police. Patrolman Joab Orr (right) is the other half of the Knox police department. (Clarion News file photo by Rodney L. Sherman)
By RODNEY L. SHERMAN
Clarion News editor

Knox Borough Police Chief Jason Bowen tendered a letter of resignation on Dec. 18. His official last day with the borough will be Jan. 13.

“It’s a family decision,” Bowen told Knox Borough Council members at a special meeting held for just a few agenda items. “It has nothing to do with the borough.”

Bowen has been accepted into the Michigan State Police Academy. Bowen and his family are originally from Michigan.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Knox Borough,” Bowen told the Clarion News. “I’ve developed some great relationships in Knox and I’ve made some good friends in Knox. I’ll certainly miss this community.

“Leaving isn’t an easy decision, but it’s an honor to be accepted into the Michigan State Police, and we’ll be going home.”

Bowen has been with the Knox Police Department for eight years – the last three as chief.

Bowen expressed his hope that council will promote Patrolman Joab Orr to the position of police chief.

Council met for about 22 minutes in executive session to discuss Orr’s qualifications. Council took no action on promoting Orr or advertising for a patrolman.

Council will meet Tuesday for its biannual reorganizational meeting followed by its regular monthly meeting, and action on the police situation could come at that time.

“I appreciate the work you did here,” said Councilman Mike Leahy. “You did a marvelous job – you laid a lot of groundwork for some very good policies and procedures.”

Other council members and Mayor Rich Cochran all wished Bowen well in his new career and thanked him for his work in the borough.