GPD loses a captain

Grafton Police Capt. Joseph Gabrish will retire Thursday, Oct. 10, after 26 years of service with the department.

During Monday’s Village Board meeting the trustees unanimously accepted his resignation.

Village Admin-istrator Jesse Thyes said Gabrish is retiring for health reasons.

“The Village Board and staff wish Joe the very best on his retirement and all his future endeavors,” Village President Jim Brunnquell said.  

Gabrish was recently appointed by the Police and Fire Commission to replace Charles Wenten as interim chief after Wenten announced plans to retire on Sept. 21. However, Gabrish declined the appointment, and Capt. Emmett Grissom was named interim chief. 

The Police and Fire Commission is in the process of hiring a permanent chief.

Gabrish joined the Grafton department as an officer in 1993 and became second in command in 2007. 

Before coming to Grafton, Gabrish was an officer with the Milwaukee Police Department for nearly 11 years. 

Gabrish is also the chief of police in the Town of Trenton, where he lives. He established the department in 1997. 

During his time with the Grafton department, Gabrish earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and received a staff-and-command certificate from Northwestern University.