Holly MatkinSeneca, IL – Earlville Police Department (EPD) Chief Darin Crask died unexpectedly on June 11.
The 44-year-old police chief passed away while off-duty at his home, according to his obituary.
His exact cause of death was not immediately released.
Earlville Mayor Mark Actis announced the police chief’s death in a press release later that day.
“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness to make this announcement,” Actis wrote. “[Chief] Darin Crask was found passed away today. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, and the Earlville community… E101 we’ll take it from here. Godspeed and rest easy Chief.”
Chief Crask devoted more than 23 years of his life to his law enforcement career, according to his obituary.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Hope College, where he also played on the football team.
Chief Crask then began working for the Marseilles Police Department (MPD) and became a K9 handler.
He later worked for the Seneca Police Department (SPD) before taking over as the chief of the Lostant Police Department (LPD).
Chief Crask began serving as EPD chief in May of 2018.
He was also a member of the Seneca Parks and Recreation board, according to WSPY.
The SPD released a statement saying it was an honor to work alongside Chief Crask.
“Chief Crask will be greatly missed by his fellow officers at Seneca Police Department and the Village citizens,” the SPD said. “Not only did he serve as an officer for the Village, he was a brother to its officers and a wonderful friend.”
Chief Crask leaves behind his daughter, Lexi, as well as his parents, brother, his daughter’s mother, and his nephews and nieces, according to his obituary.
He will be laid to rest on June 16.
🙏 😞 💙
we would like to extend our deepest condolences to family and friends of Earlville Police Chief Darin Crask. pic.twitter.com/f0RDRH4W9p— GotYour6Comm (@GotYour6Comm) June 12, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Earlville Police Department Chief Darin Crask, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
