Florence Police Chief Heidler Announces Retirement

Captain Stephen Starling will be the interim police chief of the department.

The chief of the Florence Police Department has announced plans to retire.

Allen Heidler has served for 42 years. He said he has been weighing the decision for some time now but stated the thing that was preventing him from retiring was “thinking that we could accomplish one more thing” over and over.

The 65-year-old rose through the ranks during his time with the department starting from the bottom before reaching the leading position in 2014.

Many people in the community describe him as a caring and compassionate law-enforcement officer who has always had a heart to help people. Several thanked him for his “honesty and willingness” in regards to their concerns.

Heidler will retire in October and Captain Stephen Starling will be the interim police chief of the department.