Aradi to Retire as Largo Chief; Carroll Appointed By Leo Coughlin LARGO - Chief Lester Aradi will retire from the Police Department effective June 1, City Manager Norton Craig announced Wednesday afternoon. Craig also announced that John Carroll, who has been deputy chief since 2002, will become the Largo police chief. Aradi, 58, became Largo's police chief February 20, 2001. He came from Buffalo Grove, Il., to take over a department that had been plagued with problems for years under a series of chiefs. He soon brought the situation under control and during his nine-plus years tenure the department has been problem free and efficient, earning high praise from law enforcement officials throughout the state. Aradi actually resigned in a letter to the people of Largo. Here is the full text of that letter To: The People of the City of Largo From: Lester Aradi, Chief of Police Date: April 28, 2010 Subject: Notice of Retirement By the grace of God you've allowed me to serve you as your police chief for the past nine years. During this time we have chatted over coffee, walked the streets of our community together, met in our churches, enjoyed times of celebration, and sadly shared the worst possible human tragedies together. I have been truly blessed to be part of the fabric of this wonderful community. After a thirty-six year career in law enforcement, the time has now come for me to announce to you, the people that I work for, of my intention to retire effective June 1, 2010. A great deal of preparation has gone into succession planning and I depart leaving the Largo Police Department in extremely capable hands. May the Lord bless and watch over you. With mixed emotions and deep gratitude, Lester Aradi, Largo Police Chief Aradi said he had no firm plans for retirement, but said that he and his wife, Diane, had talked of "packing up and going to the Smokey Mountains."

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