March 31, 2023
Two retire from SPD after 25 years of service
Springfield, Mo. – After 25 years of service to the citizens of Springfield, Lt. David Meyer and Officer Michael Peskar will retire from the Springfield Police Department. Meyer and Peskar began as Springfield police officers in 1998 and have accomplished many notable achievements in their careers.
Lt. David Meyer
Meyer graduated from the 43rd Springfield Police Academy in 1998. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Evangel University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Lincoln University. After working in patrol, he served as a detective in Special Investigations for five years and became the department’s motorcycle gang expert.
In 2006, he was promoted to corporal and transferred to Criminal Investigations where he worked sex crimes cases and homicides until he promoted to sergeant in 2009. As a sergeant, he transferred back to patrol and was one of the first to supervise newly formed squads in downtown Springfield. Meyer returned to criminal investigations in 2012 and served five years supervising property crimes detectives. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2018, and after two years as patrol commander, was selected as the commander of the Special Investigation Section where he served until his retirement.
Meyer is a dedicated community servant both in and out of uniform. In 2004, he formed the Guns Basketball Team, which has helped raise money for various community organizations. Over the years, Meyer has volunteered his time with community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks and Convoy of Hope. He was instrumental in the creation of the Patrol Pack Program in partnership with Convoy of Hope, which provides bags of nonperishable food for officers to provide to families in need.
Over the course of his career, Meyer has received a Command Commendation, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Mark K. Priebe Community Service Award.
In retirement, Meyer looks forward to the next step in his career as the Director of U.S. Security for Convoy of Hope.
Officer Michael Peskar
In 1998, Peskar joined the Springfield Police Department in the 43rd academy. Peskar came to Springfield from Belleville, Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Missouri Southern State University as well as an associate degree in law enforcement.
In his 25 years of service, he consistently put himself in the line of danger to protect and serve the citizens of Springfield. Peskar has served as a Major Crime Investigator for more than 20 years. He is known throughout the department for bringing justice to the families he has served with his ability to thoroughly investigate cases.
“Congratulations to Lt. Meyer and Officer Peskar. As humble servants of our community, I commend their commitment to our profession and to the Springfield Police Department,” Chief Paul Williams said. “I am proud of their dedication and wish them the best of luck in retirement.”
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Media Contact: PAO Cris Swaters
417-864-1786
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