SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – David Stevenson will officially be wrapping up his 30-year career with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on June 6, but Wednesday, May 21, will be his last day of being in the office as he takes some accrued vacation time before retirement.

Stevenson started his law enforcement career in South Lake Tahoe on June 7, 1995, after earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State and putting himself through the police academy, where he graduated at the top of his class. He also graduated from the criminal justice program at the FBI Academy at Quantico.

Upon graduation, he had a choice of joining the force in Half Moon Bay or South Lake Tahoe, but coming home and protecting the community he grew up in was too good an offer to pass up.

Stevenson’s dad brought his family of four to South Lake Tahoe in 1977 when he joined SLTPD. Unfortunately, the senior Stevenson passed away in 1981 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma when the future police chief was nine years old. He was at Meyers Elementary School, then went to South Tahoe Middle School, and is a 1990 graduate of South Tahoe High.

This department has truly been my life’s work,” said Stevenson when he was appointed chief in July 2020. “The officers who work in our department are the best of the best, and I am proud to continue on the legacy of trust, accountability, and public safety we’ve had for so many years.”

Stevenson is known for being friendly, kind, empathetic, and a good communicator.

Some of the special moments he has experienced during his career are when people he came in contact with during difficult times come back years later and thank him for being present for them.

“Doing small things that change someone’s life,” said Stevenson, of how he made a difference.

There have been tragic cases in South Lake Tahoe over the last 30 years, including the 2012 arrest of Andrew Sanford for the murder of Richard Swanson, who had been killed at the Shell Gas Station at the Y in 1980, as well as numerous domestic violence cases that Stevenson has responded to. He was off duty during the murder in September 2001 of Rebbeca Platz, 9, at the Campground by the Lake. Rebbeca died after an hours-long standoff police had with her mother, Lisa, and Lisa’s boyfriend James Csucsai.

There have been many good experiences over the years, and what Stevenson will miss the most will be the people, both at work and in the community.

“There are really good people here,” said Stevenson this week from his office that already had all the pictures and personal items off the walls and shelves. He has been the department’s disc jockey, when needed, as well as the man behind the annual July 4 barbeques at the station. The officer’s association buys supplies, Stevenson cooks, and the staff and their families enjoy the holiday when many are working.

When asked what he’ll be doing his first day off work, that was easy, as he and his family take an annual camping trip at the end of May. But once that is over, he’s looking forward to decompressing and disconnecting, and enjoying time with his family. He and his wife have one child who is still in high school and wrapping up her junior year at Douglas. Stevenson, who lives in the valley, will still be around town as his mother lives in South Lake Tahoe.

“I think he has been an amazing chief,” said Mayor Tamara Wallace at the May 20 City Council meeting.

She isn’t alone in those feelings.