Police chief to retire in January

Rhinelander Chief of Police Lloyd Gauthier has announced he will retire early next month.
Gauthier, who has served as chief of the city police department since May 2017, announced his retirement in a Nov. 22 letter to Mayor Kris Hanus and Todd McEldowney, chair of the city’s police and fire commission.
His last day will be Jan.9, 2026.
“My law enforcement career started on Dec. 27, 1990, working the 3-11 shift as a dispatcher with the police department,” Gauthier wrote. “Over the next 35 plus years, I had the amazing opportunity to serve with the WI State Patrol, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, but the time I spent as a dispatcher, patrolman, sergeant, and Chief of Police for the City of Rhinelander is the one I will cherish the most. I would like to thank the late Chief of Police Tony Paris for giving me an opportunity to start my law enforcement career, Police and Fire Commission Chairman Todd McEldowney for hiring me as an officer, promoting me to sergeant, and hiring me as chief of police, the amazing staff at the police department and City of Rhinelander, both past and present, the many officers I worked with throughout my career, the members of the current and past City of Rhinelander Common Council, Mayor Dick Johns, Mayor Chris Frederickson, Mayor Kris Hanus and the amazing citizens of Rhinelander.”
City administrator Patrick Reagan announced the news to the alderpersons in a memo included with the panel’s Dec. 8 meeting agenda.

“It is with a mixture of emotions that I report to you that we have received the ‘Notice of Retirement’ from Police Chief Lloyd Gauthier,” Reagan wrote. “Chief Gauthier’s final day will be January 9, 2026. While we hate to see Lloyd go, we are all happy for him and his family. He will be missed! I have worked with six different Police Chiefs in my career and Lloyd has been a professional at every turn – firm, fair, honest, courteous, funny, understanding, and just an honest joy to work with. On behalf of the entire staff, we would like to wish Lloyd the best in retirement!”
During a December 2024 police and fire commission meeting, Gauthier publicly endorsed Captain Josh Chiamulera as his eventual successor as chief. The commission's next meeting is Friday morning at which time Gauthier's retirement, and the police chief vacancy,  is scheduled to be discussed in closed session.