Meet the Command Staff
Meet the Chief
The Chief of Police is responsible for developing, coordinating, and administering all law enforcement programs and activities of the Willoughby Hills Police Department. The Chief works directly under the administrative direction of the Mayor / Safety Director, and along with the other City department heads, is intimately involved in the operation of the City of Willoughby Hills. The Chief is at the head of the organizational chart and has one Captain and four Sergeants that report to him.
Matthew Naegele (policechief@willoughbyhillspolice.org) has been a member of the Willoughby Hills Police Department since November 1999 and was sworn in as the new Chief of Police in January 2021. During his employment, he has served as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and assistant to the former Chief of Police in Department Operations. Various roles throughout his career included investigations, criminal patrol, highway interdiction, office of professional standards, professional development and training section. Chief Naegele received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College (PELC), the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and Session #270 of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy.
Meet the Captain
Under administrative direction of the Chief of Police, the Captain is responsible for the direct supervision of the department’s mid-level supervisors and detectives. He assists the Chief of Police in planning, organizing and administering law enforcement programs and activities of the Willoughby Hills Police Department. In the absence of the Chief of Police, the Captain may oversee all divisions of the department.
Gregory Leonbruno (gleonbruno@willoughbyhillspolice.org) has been a member of the Willoughby Hills Police Department since 2011, and has been a Police Officer since 2009. During his employment, he has served as a Patrol Officer and Patrol Sergeant. Roles throughout his career include general patrol, training section and tactical operations. Captain Leonbruno currently serves as Team Leader for the multi-jurisdictional Western Lake County Emergency Response Team (ERT), and is responsible for assistance in managing ground operations during certain incidents. Captain Leonbruno received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive and Administrative Leadership School (PEALS), FBI LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association), and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
Meet the Sergeants
The Sergeant is responsible for the supervision of Police Officers and other personnel assigned to their duty shift. The Sergeant attentively oversees and directs all patrol and activities, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, jail operations, and crime prevention duties performed by Police Officers during their shift. During temporary absences, they may act in the place of the Captain or other senior supervisors.
Travis Vobornik (tvobornik@willoughbyhillspolice.org) has been a member of the Willoughby Hills Police Department since 1998, and has served as a Patrol Sergeant for 23 years. Sergeant Vobornik has served in several capacities critical to daily operations throughout his career to include Training Section, Jail Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police. Notably, Sergeant Vobornik has headed up the Department’s weapons and range program since 2000 as a certified range manager and instructor. He is also certified as the Department’s advanced armorer on multiple weapons platforms. Sergeant Vobornik maintains multiple trainings and certifications in several courses of instruction.
Henry Boepple (hboepple@willoughbyhillspolice.org) has been a member of the Willoughby Hills Police Department since 2016, and has been a Police Officer since 2011. Prior to his supervisory role, Sergeant Boepple was assigned to the Patrol Division. Various roles throughout his career include Professional Development and Training Section which encompasses defensive tactics, less lethal, and traffic stops instruction. Sgt Boepple also assists in oversight of Professional Standards related to use of force. Sergeant Boepple received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. He is also a graduate of the Supervisor Training and Education Program (STEP) and FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association).
Shannon Vachet (svachet@willoughbyhillspolice.org) has been a member of the Willoughby Hills Police Department since 2001. Prior to his appointment as a Police Officer, Sergeant Vachet proudly served our nation in the United States Marine Corps. Sergeant Vachet has served in many capacities throughout his career to include general patrol, investigations, criminal patrol, highway interdiction, and defensive tactics instruction. He spent 14 years assigned as a canine handler and is the current canine supervisor. He currently serves as the Team Commander for the multi-jurisdictional Western Lake County Emergency Response Team (ERT), and is responsible for overall planning and management of ground operations during certain incidents. He is a graduate of FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association).
Ronald Parmertor (rparmertor@willoughbyhillspolice.org) has been a member of the Willoughby Hills Police Department since 2003, and has been a Police Officer since 1995. Prior to his appointment, Sergeant Parmertor proudly served our nation in the United States Marine Corps. He served tours during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Mogadishu, Somalia. Sergeant Parmertor has served in many capacities to include general patrol, criminal patrol, highway interdiction, and criminal investigations. He was a member of the Detective Bureau for 12 years and additionally served as a member of the United States Marshal Task Force. He is a graduate of FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association).