Auburn police chief decides to call it a day

After much consideration and introspection Auburn's Chief of Police Nick Willick announced Tuesday he will retire from the force after 34 years in blue."It's been a very difficult decision," Willick said. "I truly love what I do and the people I work with."The 56-year-old who has made serving the Auburn community his life, will hang up his holster Dec. 30."It's just time to move on and do something else," he said. "It's time to step aside and allow someone else to take over and take the department to a new level."His staff at the police department received the news Sunday."It's the saddest thing in the world," said Lois Montgomery, community service officer for the police department. "I'm happy for him, but he's the best chief we've ever had."Willick said he has been blessed to work and live in Auburn, but has been given the opportunity to spend more time with his family and feels it's necessary to take it."I missed valuable years with my first family," he said. "I won't let that happen again."Willick has two adult children, Nick Willick, Jr., and Melissa Welch, from his first marriage. Now married to Sarah, the couple have two children, Blake, 13, and Ashton, 8. "I've always said family comes first and haven't taken my own advice," Willick said. The family man started in law enforcement as a reserve officer for the Placer County Sheriff's Department in 1971 and moved to the Auburn Police Department as an officer in 1972. By 1976 he was promoted to sergeant and a year later to lieutenant."I became chief in 1979," Willick said. "Back then there were 15 sworn (officers) and now we have 25."For a time, from 1990 to 1996, Willick worked as city manager of Auburn, but went back to the department. "I bleed blue," he said.Bob Richardson, Auburn city manager, said Willick's leaving is the passing of an era."I think Nick has probably done more for Auburn than anyone really knows," he said. "As an administrator he always made the right decision - not always the easy decision." Willick said it was on a recent backpacking trip with his son Blake that he realized his family is growing and he has only a short time to enjoy the rest of their childhood. He said he has few regrets and there's little he would change in his professional life."I'm a very fortunate man to have worked in Auburn and to have been allowed to serve the people in this community," Willick said.The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@ goldcountrymedia.com.