BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The head of the Louisiana State Police will retire from the job at the end of the month.

Col. Kevin Reeves' decision comes amid ongoing questions about the death of a Black man in the law enforcement agency’s custody and the secrecy around the encounter that is now subject to a federal civil rights investigation. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Reeves’ retirement Tuesday. No replacement was immediately named.

The governor’s statement didn’t mention the death of Ronald Greene, which has sparked protests and loud criticism of the state police.

The governor released the statement below via press release:

“I am deeply grateful to Col. Reeves for his decades of dedicated service as the consummate law enforcement professional committed to serving and protecting the people of Louisiana. Public safety has always been his highest priority. I have appreciated his partnership and counsel for the past several years as Superintendent, especially as Louisiana has navigated cybersecurity incidents, natural disasters, peaceful protests and the COVID pandemic. Throughout his career with Louisiana State Police, from his early time on motorcycle patrols to his promotion to Superintendent, Col. Reeves has been a model of professionalism. His experience made him a steady and strong leader in trying times, and I personally thank him and, on behalf of the state of Louisiana, I wish him and his family well in his much-deserved retirement.”

 

Col. Reeves released the following statement via the same press release:

“It has truly been an honor to serve as Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Safety. I am forever grateful to Governor Edwards for having the faith and confidence in me and, more importantly, for the support he provides the men and women of the Louisiana State Police. As humbling as this opportunity has been, my greatest professional accomplishment remains the title of Trooper, a title I have the honor of sharing with the over 1,100 men and women who wear our badge. Throughout my career, I have advocated for the men and women of the Louisiana State Police and the heroic work they do each and every day. They will always be family. As I reflect on my career, one thing is for certain, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my family and I look forward to heading back to north Louisiana and spending more time with them.”

(Story written By MELINDA DESLATTE/AP)

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