FOX LAKE — The Fox Lake City Council unanimously voted to accept a resignation agreement from Chief of Police Pat Lynch during a special common council meeting on Wednesday.

The council voted on the resignation agreement without comment after meeting in closed session. Lynch did not attend the meeting, but Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls, who has been publicly critical of Lynch was present.

"As mayor, I am appointing Randy Martin of the Rio Police Department to fill the chief of police position in the interim," said Gerald Mullin.  

Martin is listed as the chief of the Rio Police Department on the village of Rio's Web site.  

Immediately after the meeting, City Administrator Bill Petracek provided a press release that read:

"Police Chief Pat Lynch has decided to retire after 29 years of dedicated law enforcement and 14 years as the city of Fox Lake Chief of Police.

'Pat has recently made the decision to retire and pursue other career opportunities,' stated Petracek. The city of Fox Lake would like to wish Chief Lynch the best of luck in whatever career opportunities he pursues and thank him for his committed ears of service.'"

When questioned by reporters, Petracek said that is all the information that will be released.

Nehls was highly critical of both the Fox Lake City Council and Lynch following a Feb. 5, 2007, incident that resulted in a four-day suspension for Lynch.

On that day, Lynch went to his ex-wife's residence after receiving a phone call from William Diels asking him to come over. A brief scuffle between Diels and Lynch ensued, resulting in a 911 call and an investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff's Department.

Diels eventually faced a disorderly conduct charge, while the city council suspended Lynch for disobeying orders to stay away from the residence.

Nehls said at the time that Lynch should resign and questioned why the city council handed out discipline against Lynch before an investigation into the scuffle was complete.

The city council spent time at several following meetings discussing the future of the police department in Fox Lake and in April 2007 voted against a resolution that would have dissolved the department.