AUGUSTA — Col. Andrew E. Demers, chief of the Maine State Police for six years, announced Tuesday that he will step down at the end of this month.

“I feel it’s time for a change,” Demers said, adding that he looks forward to spending at least his first few months of retirement enjoying his grandchildren and catching up on chores around his New Gloucester home.

After that, said the 52-year-old chief, “I’ll certainly be looking for something to do,” although he said he did not have any specific occupation in mind.

Technically, Demers retired in December 1991, but kept on working as part of a special, temporary deal that certain other state employees also have accepted.

It allowed him to continue receiving 80 percent of his salary plus his pension, boosting his income from about $56,000 a year to $72,000, while allowing the state to stop contributing to the pension fund on his behalf.

Demers’ 35-year law enforcement career includes 26 years with the state police. He counted among his accomplishments as chief the construction of new state police barracks in Alfred, Gray and South Portland, and the issuance of 9mm semi-automatic handguns and protective vests to state troopers.

“My years on the state police have been rewarding and challenging, and I considered my appointment as chief to be an opportunity of a lifetime. It has been an adventure that I will cherish forever,” he said in a statement.

Lt. Col. Alfred Skolfield Jr., the current deputy chief, will serve as acting chief until Demers’ successor is named.

Gov. John R. McKernan praised Demers, saying, “We will miss his leadership and strong hand at the helm of the Maine State Police.”

Demers is the department’s most highly decorated officer, said his boss, Public Safety Commissioner John R. Atwood.

A former Lewiston policeman, he has twice been honored as Trooper of the Year and has been featured on CBS-TV’s “Top Cops” program for his role in a 1986 shootout in Bowdoinham.