ALAMOSA — Alamosa Police Chief Duane Oakes received a standing ovation during his final city council meeting Wednesday night.

The chief has accepted a position in Sarasota, Florida, and his last day in Alamosa will be next Wednesday, August 8. The public is invited to a farewell reception on Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 2-4 p.m. in the city council chambers, 300 Hunt Ave.

Filling in as interim chief while a search is underway for Oakes’ replacement is Alamosa Police Captain Ken Anderson.

Alamosa city councilors on Wednesday night thanked Chief Oakes for his service and told Anderson they would support him in whatever way they could as he takes on the duties of interim chief.

“I will miss you, chief,” said Councilor Liz Hensley. “You have done a great job. You have taken our city and the department to the next level in a lot of different ways.”

She added that she has heard positive feedback from community members about the police force. She said Anderson has big shoes to fill, but she appreciated how Chief Oakes had prepared him for this role, “all along setting people up for success.”

She added, “I know you have been working with Captain Anderson with potentially moving up to this position.”

“I know you are going to do a good job,” Councilman Charles Griego told Anderson. “Whatever he needs, this council will be 100 percent behind him.”

“We support you,” echoed Councilman David Broyles.

Mayor Ty Coleman told Oakes he would miss him and thanked him for the work he had accomplished in the community and for helping increase morale. Coleman thanked Oakes and his officers for the way they treat people in the community “with decency and respect.”

He added, “Florida is indeed lucky and fortunate to have you there.”

Oakes decided to take a job in Florida to be closer to his parents. During his final city council meeting Wednesday evening he presented for final approval an agreement with the Alamosa school district for a school resource officer for the new school year. Alamosa Police Officer Dana Knauer will continue to serve in that position this year.

Mayor Coleman told Anderson that he knew he would do well as long as he continued to be the fair and just person he had come to know. “Continue to be the type of person you have been in the past,” he encouraged him.

Anderson said, “I will do the best I can for the department.’