Mayor Jim Arrington with Captain Slonaker.
The City of LaGrange honored LaGrange Police Captain John Slonaker for his 25 years of dedicated service at the recent City Council meeting on July 28.
Captain John Slonaker began his career with the LaGrange Police Department in July 2001 after serving seven years in the United States Army as a Field Artillery and Military Police Soldier. He successfully completed the Police Academy, earning his POST Law Enforcement Certification, and later that year completed the department’s rigorous Field Training Officer (FTO) Program.
Throughout his 25-year career, Captain Slonaker has served in a wide variety of patrol, investigative, and leadership assignments. Upon completing the FTO Program, he was assigned to C Shift as a night shift patrol officer. After approximately two years, he applied for and was selected to serve in the Special Investigations Unit as a narcotics investigator. Following two years in that assignment, he returned to the Patrol Division, where he was appointed as a Field Training Officer.
In 2007, Captain Slonaker successfully tested for promotion and was appointed to the rank of Detective in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). He served in CID for approximately two years before returning to the Patrol Division, where he once again took on the critical responsibility of training recruit officers as a Field Training Officer.
In 2015, Captain Slonaker transferred back to the Criminal Investigations Division, where he was assigned to investigate Special Victims Unit (SVU) cases. He served in this capacity until May 2022, when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to the Patrol Division. In May 2024, after successfully completing the department’s promotional assessment process, he was promoted to Lieutenant. In this role, he oversaw the daily patrol operations of both A and C Shifts. In November 2025, Slonaker was promoted to the rank of Captain and assumed command of the Criminal Investigations Division, where he currently serves.
Throughout his career, Captain Slonaker has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, integrity, and dedication to the LaGrange Police Department and the community he serves. His unwavering commitment to excellence and 25 years of distinguished service have earned him the respect of his peers, subordinates, and the citizens of LaGrange. His contributions to the department and the profession of law enforcement are greatly appreciated and serve as a testament to his enduring commitment to public service.
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