Augustana Police Department swears in Officer Ryan Tone

Augustana College officials gathered May 14 to swear in Ryan Tone as a police officer for the Augustana College Police Department.

Augustana Police Chief Tom Phillis and Dean Wes Brooks led the ceremony, which was attended by Officer Tone’s family.

“We are excited to add Ryan Tone to the Augustana College Police Department,” Chief Phillis said. “Ryan comes to us with a wealth of experience which we'll use to further the law enforcement side of our mission.”

Officer Tone said he is excited to join Augustana's department.

"I’m thrilled to be a part of Chief Tom Phillis’ public safety team at Augustana," the Moline native said. "Students come here to earn an excellent education – we keep them safe."

After attending Moline High School, Officer Tone graduated from Augustana in 1985 with a degree in public administration.

He worked as a jailer for Scott County Jail before being hired by the Illinois State Police in 1986. He worked as a state trooper for several years and served on the Illinois State Police Drug Interdiction team code named "Valkyrie." The initiative removed illegal drugs and guns from the street and secured arrests of those involved.

Officer Tone was assigned to the FBI Federal Gang Task Force of the Quad Cities, where he worked on significant drug, gun and gang violence cases. Most recently, he served as police chief for the Village of Hampton.

He is married to Pam, and the pair share two children and four grandchildren.