UPDATE:
Clewiston's Police Chief is stepping down. The mayor tells Fox 4 that the resignation letter went to city staff over the weekend.
Fox 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski works in the community every day, so his sources told him about the resignation and he obtained the resignation letter.
Watch to hear about the Chief Lewis' resignation and what we know so far:
Tom Lewis submitted the resignation letter Saturday, saying his last day will be September 23. In the letter, he called his four years leading the Clewiston Police Department “one of the greatest honors of my professional life.” He went on to say the decision was not easy, and that he is proud of the work the Clewiston Police Department accomplished in building trust, strengthening community partnerships, and improving public safety.
Lewis was appointed chief in June 2021, bringing more than two decades of experience in law enforcement. Before Clewiston, he was the chief at the Punta Gorda Police Department and also worked in the Department of Corrections.
With this resignation, Clewiston police say there is already an interim chief in place. They say it is Wilmer “Tico” Salgado, an acting sergeant. He has been with the department since 2023 and will lead the force during the transition.
Schargorodski is still working to find out more about what led to Lewis’ sudden resignation and has left a message for Lewis.
Fox 4 will keep you updated as soon as more information is available about who will take over as Clewiston’s next police chief.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
Thomas Lewis, the police chief of Clewiston, has resigned. According to a city official, the chief sent a resignation letter on Aug. 23 to City staff.
Clewiston Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski is embedded in the community and got word of the resignation from his sources. Using his contacts, he got a hold of the resignation letter.
It says the chief's last day is on Sept. 23.
"While this was not an easy decision, I believe it is the right time for me to step away and being a new chapter," the chief said in the letter. "I remain deeply grateful for the support I've received from my colleagues, and—most importantly—the community."
According to the city's website, Chief Tom Lewis was appointed in June 2021. His career began in 1995 with the Department of Corrections. It says in 1998, he transitioned to the Punta Gorda Police Department and was there for 18 years. He also was the police chief there until 2017.
"In the coming month, I am committed to assisting in any way I can to ensure a smooth and effective transition to the next Chief of Police," the letter said. "Whether that means helping with the search process, onboarding my successor, or providing institutional knowledge, I am committed to supporting the department and the city through this transition."
Fox 4 is working to get more information about his resignation and the next step for the department.
