Freeport swears in interim fire chief, begins search for replacement

January 19, 2022|By Kevin Haas|In Trending, Local
Scott Stykel, a 24-year veteran of the Freeport Fire Department, is sworn in Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, as the interim fire chief. (Photo provided by city of Freeport)
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Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A 24-year veteran of the Freeport Fire Department will serve as interim chief after the sudden death of Fire Chief Brad Liggett.

Scott Stykel was sworn in at Tuesday’s City Council meeting as interim fire chief. He will lead the department until a full-time replacement is approved.

The council also authorized City Manager Randy Bukas to seek any internal candidates for 10 days. Pending any internal candidates, the city would then enter a contract with GovHR to conduct a national search.

GovHR previously conducted a search for the city’s fire chief, which led to the hiring of Liggett.

Liggett joined the Freeport Fire Department in 2019 after a 30-year career with the Beloit Fire Department, including 16 years as its fire chief.

Liggett died Jan. 8 at age 55. The cause of his death was not disclosed.