ROCKLAND — Rockland Deputy Police Chief Wally Tower has resigned from his position after 27 years with the department. He made the announcement Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Tower started his career with Rockland as an officer and was promoted to Deputy Police Chief in 1996.

Tower's official last day with Rockland was Sunday, Dec. 28. On Monday, he will join the Knox County Sheriff's Office to supervise security at the Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head. Tower said he initially had planned to retire but the position with the Knox County Sheriff's Office was an opportunity he could not pass up.

At this time, Rockland Police Chief Bruce Boucher has not announced if an interim Deputy Police Chief will be appointed and what the details are regarding the search to replace Tower.

Tower is a native of Milford, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Maine and is a certified instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.