SIUE Mourns the Loss of Former Police Chief Charles “Chuck” McDonald
December 23, 2023, 6:59 PM
Former Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chief of Police Charles “Chuck” McDonald Cromwell, age 81, died on Monday, Dec. 4, in Middletown Connecticut. Chuck McDonald became the Director of Police Operations for SIUE on May 14, 1979 and retired from in 1998, earning the accolade of longest term served as an SIUE police chief. “Chuck was a great leader of his force, and beyond that, was very committed to helping the community and the State of Illinois,” recalls Robert Vanzo, director of Administrative Services at SIUE.
“He served on numerous local and state-based committees and really made a difference in how police officers were viewed by the public.”
During his 20 years of service to SIUE, McDonald was President of the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association in 1986 and President of the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association in 1990. Additionally, he was on the Board for the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Boards in Springfield. In a May 10, 1979 article from the Observer, a former newspaper produced by SIUE, McDonald was referred to as a “Top Cop” and pioneer in campus security.
McDonald’s devotion to public safety earned him a reputation for being a well-loved overachiever, and he quickly attained leadership positions at the many civic organizations with which he became involved.
Chuck McDonald was interred Wednesday, Dec. 20 in Connecticut. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Rzewnicki, daughter Michelle Schleuter and grandson Hunter Schleuter. McDonald leaves behind a brother, Glenn McDonald; a sister, Marianne Demakis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Chuck’s favorite charities, the Backstoppers, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His obituary may be viewed by visiting the Farrell Funeral Home website.
PHOTO: Charles “Chuck” McDonald
