Captains

Billy Dowling

Captain Billy Dowling started his career as a Patrolman with Tahlequah Police Department November 1989. Billy has served Tahlequah as a Patrolman, D.A.R.E. Officer, Lieutenant and Captain and has served in a supervisory capacity for four different Chiefs of Police. 

Captain Dowling is currently the department’s Patrol Captain and Evidence Custodian and has been a pillar within the department and community for 30 years. He utilizes his knowledge and experience to teach the young officers of the Tahlequah Police Department on a daily basis. Dowling has received several awards over his decorated career including Buckledown Award and Officer of the Year.

Steve Young

Steve Young has been with the Tahlequah Police Department since 1983. During his tenure with the department he served in several different positions. Captain Young began his career with the department as a Communications Officer and Jailer from 1983 to 1988. During this time he obtained his OLETS Certification through OK Dept of Public Safety. He was then hired as a Patrolman for the department. 

Young completed the Oklahoma C.L.E.E.T.  Academy in 1988 obtaining his state certification to be a Police Officer and was then promoted from Patrolman to Sergeant in 1998 and held that title until July 2014. During this time frame, the Chief of Police was elected Cherokee County Sheriff and left the department midterm. At this point Young was promoted by City Council as Interim Chief of Police from January 2005 to May 2005. 

When the new Chief of Police was elected, Captain Young went back to the rank of Sergeant. In August 2014, he was promoted from Sergeant to Captain. During Captain Young’s tenure he also acquired several awards exemplifying his dedication to public safety. He was awarded Elks Lodge Police officer of the year in 1997, a recipient of Oklahoma Buckledown award in 1999, and Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce Police Officer of the year in 2004.