INDIAN RIVER SHORES — Indian River Shores Acting Public Safety Director Mike Jacobs has turned down an offer to become the department’s permanent chief, opting instead to retire after nearly 30 years in law enforcement.
Jacobs, a captain who was promoted to acting director after Robert Stabe left to take over as town manager, publicly announced his decision on his Facebook page last week.
“Hold on to your hats and sit down,” Jacobs wrote Thursday in his post on the social media site. “Yesterday, I was offered the position of ‘Chief of Public Safety at IRSPD. I respectfully declined the position and, in turn, submitted a letter of intent to retire instead.
“Yahoooooo! Wow! I can’t believe 27 years has come and gone so quickly,” he added. “It’s been truly an honor working with all my co-workers and friends over these many years. I’m going to enjoy the good life for a while.”
He closed with: “Be safe and God Bless.”
Jacobs could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but his retirement appears to have already begun. A woman answering the phone at the town’s Public Safety Department said Jacobs “no longer works here.”
Town Manager Robert Stabe was not available for comment.
Jacobs was promoted to acting chief 18 months ago, taking over for Stabe, who left to become the Shores’ town manager after 23 years with the police department — the final 13 months as public safety director.
Stabe was offered the town manager’s job in April 2013, after his predecessor, Richard Jefferson, announced his retirement and plan to move to Cap Cod, Mass.