EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville announced Wednesday, September 16, that Police Major Michael Lybarger has been named the City’s new director of police. Lybarger currently serves as the City’s deputy chief, and will assume the top spot in the Edwardsville Police Department upon Chief Michael Fillback’s retirement on October 2, 2026.
“Major Lybarger has demonstrated his commitment to safeguarding this community for nearly three decades,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “He has impressive expertise in forensic technology and investigations into cyber crime, child exploitation, identity theft and more. I couldn’t imagine a more qualified, well-prepared or dedicated person to seamlessly step into this role.”
The mayor’s appointment of Lybarger to chief was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday night, September 15, after an executive session to consider the employment matter.
Lybarger, 53, has spent his entire law enforcement career with the Edwardsville Police Department, having been hired as a patrol officer in 1998. A Wood River native, he steadily rose through the ranks, filling roles such as detective, detective sergeant, lieutenant and special operations commander. His time with Edwardsville also included a three-year assignment to the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois, including a period as a supervisor. In 2021, he assumed the position of major, as second in command in Edwardsville, under current Chief Fillback.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as chief of the Edwardsville Police Department. I look forward to serving this community alongside the dedicated men and women of our department and continuing the work of keeping Edwardsville a safe place to live, work, and raise a family,” Lybarger said. “I want to thank Mayor Risavy and the City Council for their confidence in me. I am proud to lead this department and will work to support our officers and strengthen the partnership we have with the people we serve.”
Lybarger has received numerous awards and commendations during his tenure in Edwardsville, and is the first Edwardsville police officer selected as a deputy commander of the St. Louis Major Case Squad. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Lewis & Clark Community College, teaching digital forensics techniques and methodologies.
