Thomas Vonhof, Neighbor

Appointed as Lakeville's sixth chief of police in 2007, Chief Thomas Vonhof is a 30-year veteran of the Lakeville Police Department. Hired as a patrol officer in 1980, Chief Vonhof has worked a wide variety of assignments over the years including Crime Prevention Officer, cable TV police show host, criminal investigator, and undercover narcotics investigator.

Chief Vonhof started the Lakeville Police Department's Field Training Program and was involved in the training of 27 officers. In 1996, Chief Vonhof left his position as an undercover narcotics investigator with the South Metro Drug Task Force and was promoted to Sergeant. As a sergeant, Chief Vonhof was a patrol shift supervisor and also started and supervised Lakeville PD's bike patrol and snowmobile patrol. In 2000, Chief Vonhof was promoted to the position of Lieutenant and served terms commanding both the Patrol and Investigative Divisions. In 2004, Chief Vonhof was promoted to Captain of Support Services overseeing the Investigations, Communications, and Records Division of the department. In 2006, Chief Vonhof was appointed as the acting Chief of Police until being appointed the Chief of Police in 2007.

Chief Vonhof is an FBI National Academy graduate and holds a master's degree from Hamline University in public administration.