Rick Hetzel

Following a distinguished twenty year military career as a Special Agent of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, Richard “Rick” Hetzel served as the Chief of Police in Norcross, Georgia and in Cape Girardeau, Missouri until his retirement from law enforcement in 2001. Mr. Hetzel attended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Metropolitan Police Academy, London, England. Because of his extensive background in violent crime investigations, he was frequently requested to address audiences in topics related to international terrorism, violent crime, crime and delinquency, and community-oriented policing.

As Chief of Police, Mr. Hetzel was considered a trend setter with a contemporary “hands-on” approach to community-oriented policing. Mr. Hetzel’s efforts culminated in the development
of several cooperative initiatives within the communities he served, including two of the first School Resource Officer and Student Leadership Programs in the States of Georgia and Missouri.

In 1996, The United States Attorney, 11th Judicial District, selected Mr. Hetzel as the recipient of the Annual Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community-Oriented Policing. Mr. Hetzel was also the recipient of numerous military awards including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service in Vietnam.

Since his retirement from law enforcement in 2001, Mr. Hetzel has undertaken a variety of entrepreneurial interests including the development of businesses in real estate investment, international golf travel, and the digital publishing industry.

Mr. Hetzel graduated in 1980 from Webster University with a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the prestigious FBI Academy.

Mr. Hetzel currently resides with his wife, Cheryl Mothes, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.