Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

January 12, 2011, Page 2

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Herrick begins duties as sheriff

Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick poses at his desk Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011.  His first day as sheriff was Monday, Jan. 3; he takes over for retired sheriff Louis Rosandich.  (Photo by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

After setting many career goals and achieving them, Greg Herrick is hard at work once again after beginning his duties as Clark County sheriff Monday, Jan. 3.

Herrick, who was elected sheriff in November 2010, grew up on his family’s beef and grain farm south of Willard.  In addition to farming, his father was the head of the Forestry and Parks Department, and his mother was a nurse.

As a young man, Herrick knew by age 14 or 15 he wanted to have a career in law enforcement and set about achieving that goal.  Herrick took classes in high school he knew would benefit him in law enforcement some day, such as typing and communications.

Herrick also knew he wanted to remain in Clark County because of its strong agriculture base and rural location.  "I enjoy agriculture," said Herick, who still lives in Willard and resides on a farm.

After graduating from Greenwood High School in 1978, Herrick became the LP gas department head at Cenex and was soon hired by the Clark County Sheriffs Department to serve with the reserve force in 1979.

Herrick kept setting goals and achieving those goals one at a time.  He became full-time sheriff’s department employee in 1986 and was then promoted to patrol deputy.

Herrick knew he wanted to become sheriff but was not going to run against Sheriff Louis Rosandich because of their mutual respect for each other.

"[Rosandich] was a wonderful sheriff to work under," said Herrick, who explained everyone respected Rosandich.

When Rosandich decided to retire and not run for another term as sheriff, Herrick knew it was time to achieve his next ambition.

Herrick’s goals for the sheriff department are already in motion; he is helping build the sheriff’s department reserve force, creating a canine unit and continuing to communicate with the community.  Herrick plans to have those first two goals in place by Memorial Day this year.

"It all takes time," explained Herrick.

Herrick stated he was busy to say the least on his first day at the job - he started his duties at 5 a.m. and worked until after 8 p.m.

Herrick’s first day was filled with dozens of phone calls, several meetings and swearing in new personnel.  Herrick is working with Chief Deputy Jim Backus to plan the upcoming year as much as possible.

Herrick asks for the community’s patience, as the sheriff’s department will fulfill their needs to the best of the Sheriff’s department’s ability.

Herrick appreciates the community support he has already received.  "I’m very humbled by that," explained Herrick.