Ottawa ? There will be a new police chief in town late next month.

Dennis Butler, 43, was named the new Ottawa police chief Monday by City Manager Weldon Padgett. Butler will replace Jeff Herrman , who will retire in mid-June. Herrman, who has been the city’s chief since March 1989, announced his retirement late last year.

Butler is retiring from the Alexandria, Va., Police Department where he worked for 24 years. A captain, he worked in a variety of operational and administrative assignments. He is commander of the day patrol division.

In a news release, Butler said he was excited about the Ottawa opportunity.

“Although it will be difficult to duplicate the outstanding career of retiring Police Chief Jeff Herrman, I am incredibly humbled by the confidence Mr. Padgett and the people of Ottawa have shown by selecting me as the next chief,” Butler said in the release.

Herrman was unavailable for comment Monday afternoon.

Butler’s wife, Kerri, is an Oklahoma native and a former Arlington County, Va., police officer. They have been married 13 years and have two daughters, ages 11 and 8.

Padgett made his selection after an interview process that involved soliciting input from Ottawa officials, residents and local leaders. The process involved three committees.

Butler was selected from among 68 applicants from 22 states. Eight finalists were selected. One candidate dropped out, and the final seven were interviewed in April. Butler and another candidate were interviewed a second time.