EVERETT—After more than three decades in law enforcement, including two years as chief, Everett Police Chief John DeRousse announced Monday, December 8, that he will retire from the department at the end of 2025. Deputy Chief Goetz will be appointed as Chief of Police.
“Chief DeRousse has given nearly three decades of steadfast service to the people of Everett, and we are incredibly grateful,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “John’s dedication to innovation and community engagement will leave a lasting impact on our city as programs he helped create continue helping people for years to come. We wish him the very best as he transitions into this next chapter focused on family and new opportunities.”
In a video address, DeRousse, described the unseen weight carried by officers who regularly confront society’s darkest moments and then are expected to set it aside when they go home.
“No human being should have to deal with it,” DeRousse said, recounting scenes that range from infant deaths to listening helplessly as a fellow officer is injured over the radio. “We build this room inside ourselves, a dark space in the basement where we put our toughest moments.”
DeRousse said recent personal challenges had made it harder to perform at the level the community deserves, prompting him to honor a long-standing promise to himself: to leave the profession on his own terms, before cynicism overtakes pride.
Appointed chief in November 2023 after 25 years with Everett PD and four prior years with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, DeRousse succeeded retiring Chief Dan Templeman. Mayor Franklin praised him at the time as a trusted leader with deep community roots and advanced training, that includes master’s degrees in criminology and homeland security and graduation from the FBI National Academy.
During his tenure, DeRousse oversaw the Operations Division as deputy chief and later guided the department through what he called “arguably the toughest five years in modern law enforcement history.” He highlighted the department’s blend of holding “bad guys accountable” with robust community outreach, from homework clubs to neighborhood coffee meetups on Casino Road.
He credited those non-traditional connections with helping officers manage stress and maintain public trust during a period of national scrutiny on policing.
DeRousse stressed that the department he is leaving behind has a strong culture, embraces technology, and is poised for new leadership to emerge.
“Serving as a police officer and serving with you has been a privilege,” he said. “You’re tough, you’re smart, and you show up when it matters. That’s commitment, and I thank you for that.”
Post-retirement, Chief DeRousse will be joining a regional healthcare organization and looks forward to spending more time with his family. His last day will be December 31, 2025.
Deputy Chief Goetz to be appointed as Chief of Police
To lead the department through the next chapter, Mayor Franklin is appointing Deputy Chief Robert Goetz to serve as chief of police. With more than 34 years of dedicated service to the Everett community, Deputy Chief Goetz brings unmatched institutional knowledge and a proven record of leadership across nearly every corner of the agency.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Deputy Chief Goetz for accepting this appointment to serve as Everett’s new chief of police,” said Mayor Franklin. “Robert brings decades of experience; strong relationships throughout the department and across the region; and a steady leadership style that reflects the values of our community. His willingness to step up and serve in this capacity during this period of transition speaks to his commitment to this department and the people of Everett.”
Deputy Chief Goetz currently oversees the department’s Investigations and Services Bureau and has served in nearly every operational and administrative function during this tenure – including as administrative lieutenant with the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, patrol sergeant, detective with the Office of Professional Standards, school resource officer, public information officer, member of the Marine Unit and a longtime member of the department’s Honor Guard.
Deputy Chief Robert Goetz will be sworn in as chief of police at a City Council meeting in early January 2026.
Author: Mario Lotmore
