Portland Police Chief Tim Burton's last day on the job will be Aug. 16, city officials announced this afternoon.

Burton will begin his new job, as police chief for the city of Odessa, Texas, on Aug. 31.

Deputy Chief Joseph Loughlin will serve as interim chief until a permanent replacement is named for Burton.

"It has been my honor and privilege to be of service to the citizens of Portland as a police officer," Burton said in a written statement.

"I hope my work has improved law enforcement in our City and throughout the region. I thank the men and women of the police Department for their professionalism and dedication. I could have had no finer group of colleagues," Burton said. "I especially want to thank my wife and children for their love and understanding. They have made all things possible. Portland is my hometown and always will be no matter what plan God may have for me."

Burton has said his family is attracted to the climate of the Southwest and that the Odessa job represents a new policing challenge. Burton has led Portland's department since November 2005. A Portland native, he joined the department as a patrolman in 1982.

Odessa, which is between Dallas and El Paso, has a department with 177 sworn officers and a population of about 100,000. Portland has 160 sworn officers and a population of 64,000.