The following is a press release and photos from the Idaho Falls Police Department.
IDAHO FALLS – On Thursday, August 18, the Idaho Falls Police Department held a retirement ceremony honoring the career of Capt. Bill Squires and wishing him well as he retires from the enforcement profession of the law.
Captain Squires joined the Idaho Falls Police Department in 1995 as a patrol officer and joined the Bureau of Investigations as a Detective in 2007. Then Detective Squires was promoted to Sergeant in July 2012. As a Sergeant , Squires held supervisory positions in the Bureau of Investigations and the Patrol Bureau before being promoted to lieutenant in June 2013, just 11 months after becoming a sergeant.
Squires was promoted to captain by Chief Bryce Johnson in October 2017, with his first assignment being in charge of the Office of Investigations and Special Operations. Captain Squires returned to the Patrol Bureau in October 2021, ending his law enforcement career with the Bureau in which he began.
Consistent with many in law enforcement, Captain Squires has spent most of his career on patrol, both as an officer and in various leadership roles. Additionally, Captain Squires had the opportunity to work in covert narcotics investigations, both as a detective and supervisor, managed the Idaho Falls Bonneville County Emergency Communications Center (dispatch) , was a firearms and tactics instructor and served two decades as a SWAT. Leader.
Captain Squires served as a leader both within the department and in the greater Idaho Falls community. Captain Squires has spent several years working closely with partners in School District 91, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, area first responder agencies, among others.
“I love my city,” Captain Squires said. “Being a part of this department, being a part of what’s happening in your city and how your city is developing has been an honor. I don’t know how to best characterize the career, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, a crowd of over 200 gathered to share stories about Captain Squires’ career, thank him for his leadership and guidance, and recognize his service to the Idaho Falls community. The rally included current and retired Idaho Falls police employees, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper, several city council members, City of Idaho Falls employees, representatives from first responder agencies from area, as well as members of the community, family and friends.
“He’s a rare breed of people that you have the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with every day in this career,” captain Squires said. “It’s something you can achieve along the way, but it becomes more important looking back at this stage of a career.”
Among the attendees was Carol Dodge, mother of Angie Dodge. Carol joined Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson, Mayor Casper and members of the Idaho Falls City Council in presenting Captain Squires with the Outstanding Police Service Medal. This distinguished honor was bestowed in recognition of her leadership and efforts in closing the investigation into the homicide of Angie Dodge, which occurred during Squires’ then-officer rookie year as a police officer. .
Captain Squires oversaw the Office of Investigations and Special Operations from 2017 until the final stages of the Dodge investigation, Captain Squires’ first opportunity to work with the Dodge investigation. During the pre-trial investigation and operations surrounding the arrest of Brian Dripps, Captain Squires ensured that all of the objectives of the investigation were organized and accomplished; while other crimes and investigations were still unfolding in Idaho Falls. Captain Squires ensured that the Dodge investigation, other cold cases, and current crimes in Idaho Falls each received due attention from the bureau. In each phase of the Dodge investigation there were complicated operations, involving multiple detectives, traveling hundreds of miles outside of IFPD jurisdiction, coordination with support agencies, operational plans, and more. Captain Squires’ knowledge, skills and abilities were a constant resource for the team. and his preparation and leadership ensured the successful arrest and closure of this investigation.
Several attendees took the opportunity to share their regards for Captain Squires. Retired officers who worked closely with him shared stories of their early years as police officers and the value of having Captain Squires by their side throughout their careers.
Two current Idaho Falls police captains, Captain Jeremy Galbreaith and Captain Joel Tisdale, expressed their appreciation for Captain Squires’ example and leadership. Captain Galbreaith, who now oversees the Office of Investigations and Special Operations, spoke of his experience as a new officer who joined the department in 1998.
“As a new officer watching the senior officers around me,” Captain Galbreaith said, “I knew I wanted to be like him. Bill Squires. He was the kind of officer I wanted to be.
Captain Tisdale, whose last role as a lieutenant was in the Bureau of Investigations reporting to Captain Squires, shared that when he was promoted to lieutenant, he asked Captain Squires to choose him (Tisdale) as his lieutenant. (Squires).
“I went to Bill and said, ‘Let me be your lieutenant. Let me come and learn from you,’ said Captain Tisdale, attesting to Captain Squires’ ability not only to lead, but also to mentor those around him.
Lt. Tony Glenn, representing the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper both spoke about Captain Squires’ impact outside of the Idaho Falls Police Department. Lt. Glenn thanked Captain Squires for being a collaborative partner with law enforcement agencies in the region and for his example of leadership both at the IFPD and “across the hall” making reference to the physical locations of the IFPD and BSCO administrative offices in the Bonneville County Law Enforcement Building.
Mayor Casper described his ability not only to be a good police officer, but also to work collaboratively with other city departments and agencies, build relationships, be a peacemaker and many other qualities that distinguish Captain Squires as an outstanding leader.
Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson, who facilitated presentations of a ghost box with various badges, insignia and memorabilia from his career, and the Captain Squires service pistol, said: “Captain Squires was one of the first people I started working closely with when I arrived in Idaho Falls. It’s hard to imagine an Idaho Falls Police Department without Bill Squires, but whether he’s here every day or not, his impact on this department will surely stand the test of time. It has been an honor to work alongside him for the past five years and to see the level of care he has shown for this department and this community. »
Captain Squires’ effective retirement date is August 26. The Idaho Falls Police Department expresses its sincere gratitude to Captain Squires for spending his career with us and for the legacy he leaves at the IFPD.
