Fairfield police chief Deanna Cantrell to retire amid cancer diagnosis

The first woman to lead the Fairfield Police Department will retire at the end of the year after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The announcement was made by Fairfield Police Chief Deanna Cantrell in a video posted to social media on Tuesday.

“This is my second cancer diagnosis, and it has really made me
re-evaluate life and accelerate my plans beyond the work I love,”
Cantrell said in a written statement. “I have loved living in Fairfield and
serving as your police chief, and am profoundly thankful to the
Fairfield City Council, City Staff, Police department staff and to the
community that has welcomed and worked alongside me and my staff with
open arms.”

Cantrell was sworn in as Fairfield's first female chief of police in October 2020. She joined the department after serving as San Luis Obispo's chief of police for four years.

"I have loved living in Fairfield and serving as your police chief,
and am profoundly thankful to the Fairfield City Council, City Staff,
Police department staff and to the community that has welcomed and
worked alongside me and my staff with open arms," Cantrell stated.

In a  video message published on Tuesday, Cantrell said her most-recent diagnosis is the second time she has been afflicted with cancer. She revealed that she lost her sister more than a decade ago to cancer, and that her own diagnosis accelerated her retirement plans.

"This recent diagnosis has really accelerated my plans for the future," Cantrell said. "I have absolutely loved being your police chief in Fairfield and serving you."

City officials said Captain Dan Marshall will be elevated to the
position of police chief when Cantrell retires at the end of the year.