Lake County Gazette

The Mundelein Police Department has a new commander in Patrick Gara and a new sergeant in Richard Wilfenger, according to a recent press release.

"Rick has accomplished a number of significant goals for the department and it's a pleasure to see him as our next new sergeant," Chief Eric Guenther said, according to the release. "Pat has a plethora of experience and this knowledge will serve him well in his new position as commander."

Gara joined the department in 1997 and was assigned to the Lake County drug unit after six years on patrol. He served as an undercover agent and eventually became a supervisor for the unit. He earned a promotion to sergeant in 2011 and served as an administrative sergeant, leading the investigations division.

Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther | www.mundelein.org

Wilfenger joined the department in 2003 and has served as a juvenile officer, gang officer, evidence technician, field training officer, bike officer and accident officer, including nearly five years in the investigations division. He serves on the Cook County Regional Crime Task Force and is a member of the Lake County Juvenile Officers Association and the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators.