Former Orangeville police chief Rod Freeman will officially become chief of the Oxford Community Police in Woodstock on October 26, 2009.

He joined the force as deputy chief in 2007 after serving as Orangeville police chief for eight years, and has been Oxford's acting chief since the retirement of Ron Fraser in June.

Chief Freeman rose to national prominence recently, due to his involvement in the Victoria "Tori" Stafford murder investigation in Woodstock.

He has been a police officer for 31 years. Besides Orangeville and Oxford, he served in Timmins, St. Thomas and Fergus.

In Fergus, where was also chief of police, he was awarded the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery for his role in rescuing a 13-year-old girl trapped under the Beatty Dam.

In 2004, he was inducted as a member of the Order of Merit for the Canadian Police Forces by then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson during a formal ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

The Order of Merit was established in 2000 to recognize conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members of Canadian police services whose contributions extend beyond protection of the community.

"In 2007 when the Board was searching for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Deputy Chief, we also focused on establishing a succession plan by recruiting a Deputy who would be a candidate for promotion to Chief of Police," says Connie Lauder, chair of the Oxford Community Police Services Board.

"During Deputy Chief Freeman's tenure with the Oxford Community Police Service since 2007, he has more than proven his ability to take over the Chief's role of responsibility and leadership."

Chief Freeman now resides in Woodstock with his wife Tricia and their sons Anthony, 10, and Jeremiah, 8.