Sgt. Tony Erickson from the Colorado Springs Police Department will be the next Chief of Police in Palisade.

That news comes courtesy of a letter sent out to Palisade Town Trustees from Town Administrator Richard Sales.

Sales calls Erickson is the "best selection for Police Chief in Palisade."

Erickson comes from the town of Simla, CO, and currently ranches in the area.

He has worked his way up through the ranks in his 30 years of law enforcement, achieving the ranks of acting lieutenant, patrol sergeant, training sergeant, detective, and field training officer during the course of his career.

As mentioned, his current employer is the CO Springs PD, where he is a sergeant.

Erickson holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and is a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program's 70th Command Institute for Police Executives.

According to Sales' letter, Erickson had strong support from interview panels, including unanimous support from a panel of police chiefs and law enforcement officers.

Sales says Erickson's "passion for community based law enforcement and his love and understanding of small towns made him a good choice for Palisade."

Erickson will be selling his ranch and moving to Palisade.

His expected start date will be in early April.