(STURGIS) – Former Sturgis Police Chief Eugene Alli has passed away at the age of 81.

According to a posting on the Hackman Family Funeral Homes website, Alli was born March 28, 1940 in Detroit. After graduating from high school he served in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, Alli earned a Bachelor Of Arts Degree from Detroit Mercy College, and a Master of Science Degree from Central Missouri State University. He then graduated with the 135th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

He became a law enforcement instructor at the Washtenaw Police Academy and the Detroit Police Academy. His first job as a police officer was in 1962 with the Howell Police Department. After serving with several other departments, Alli was hired in 1986 to be the Sturgis Police Chief, a position he held until 2004 when he retired. He then went to work for the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department.

In addition, Alli owned and operated Alli Investigative Agency as a private detective for many years. Throughout his law enforcement career he caught bank robbers, serial killers, stopped runaway trains, earned countless awards and saved many lives along with meeting two U.S. Presidents.