The Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co, WI

December 29, 2010, Front Page

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Sheriff Rosandich retiring after successful career

Clark County Sheriff Louis Rosandich poses at his desk Thursday, Dec. 23.  His last day as sheriff is Sunday, Jan. 2, before newly elected Greg Herrick takes over Monday, Jan. 3.  Rosandich has been sheriff for 10 years and spent 35 years working in law enforcement for the county. (Peter Spicer/Clark County Press Photo)

By Peter Spicer

After 10 years as Clark County Sheriff and 35 years with the sheriff’s department, Louis Rosandich is nearing his last day as sheriff.

Rosandich’s last day as sheriff will be Jan. 2, 2011; newly elected Greg Herrick will begin his new position Jan. 3, 2011.

Rosandich was raised on a farm in the Town of Sherwood near Granton and graduated from Pittsville High School in 1971.

Rosandich had several relatives in law enforcement while growing up and decided he would one day work in law enforcement.  "I set my sights on a law enforcement career as a sophomore in high school," stated Rosandich.

After graduation, Rosandich received a job at Marshfield Homes, where he worked for several years until 1974 when he began attending Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire.

While attending college, Rosandich met several Clark County Sheriff’s Department deputies, who told Rosandich he met the criteria to become a traffic officer or dispatch jailer.

At the time, Clark County had a separate sheriff’s department and traffic department, although they both worked out of the same building.  Rosandich interviewed for a job with Clark County near the end of 1974 and started his first day as a radio dispatch jailer Jan. 1, 1975.

Rosandich was a bit apprehensive about the job at first and thought, "What am I getting myself into?"

However, Rosandich knew "This is what I truly wanted to do," and stuck with it.

Rosandich worked as radio dispatch jailer for two years and seven months before being hired as a traffic officer.

He worked for traffic captain Walter "Bunny" Oldham; the sheriff was David Bertz at the time and the chief deputy, Dan Patey.

Rosandich spent 12 years at that position, serving from 1977 to 1989, until he became a traffic sergeant for nine months.

The Sheriff’s department and traffic department merged in 1989 into just one department, the sheriff’s department.  After the merger, Rosandich became a detective sergeant, which he served for 10 years.

During the ninth year of that position, Rosandich decided it was time "to fulfill [his] lifelong ambition" to become sheriff.  He started his campaign in 2000.

When Rosandich took the sheriff’s position, he didn’t even know he would receive a raise from his previous position. "You don’t do the sheriff’s job for money, you do it because you enjoy it," Rosandich explained.

Rosandich considers his relationship with his deputies and the community as one of his greatest accomplishments while building one of the best sheriff’s departments in the state.

While a sergeant, Rosandich said the sheriff’s department became increasingly, "just a machine," since approximately 1990 by not working for the citizens.

Rosandich knew he needed to "change this up," and felt he was capable of doing so but would need his deputies’ assistance.

Rosandich stated the sheriff’s department went from mediocre to "second to none," during his tenure, thanks to the support of his staff.

Rosandich’s time as sheriff "has been fantastic" because of the turn-around.

The sheriff’s department became an agency that could "take its show on the road" and be an example to other sheriff’s departments about how to do things.

A sheriff’s staff makes the sheriff look good, said Rosandich, who asked his deputies to be professional, courteous and never forget it is an honor to wear the Clark County Sheriff’s Department uniform.

"I demanded the best out of each and every one of them," said Rosandich.

As a sergeant, Rosandich had opportunities to grow professionally but was not allowed to do so at times.  When he became sheriff, he was determined to allow his deputies to grow professionally.

Rosandich stated he "never once stepped in the way of employees advancing themselves."

Chief Deputy Jim Backus is an example of one deputy who advanced his career; he recently completed a 10-week training program at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

Rosandich stated he has seen the best of people and the worst of people during his tenure.  Rosandich has seen "a lot over the years," which is "mind boggling" to him.

Rosandich stated he decided to retire because he was starting to become "burned out" and felt he couldn’t give 100 percent anymore.

Not giving 100 percent doesn’t do the community and sheriff’s department justice, Rosandich explained.

Rosandich stated the job of sheriff is "a young man’s job."

Technology has changed over the years, but Rosandich joked he is "used to [using] pad and pencil."

Rosandich plans to take some time off before looking at a couple offers he’s received to work in law enforcement once again.

"I did my job to the best of my abilities," stated Rosandich.

"Sheriff Rosandich has been instrumental in the excellent working relationship between emergency management and the sheriff’s department," said Clark County Emergency Management Director Michelle Hartness.  "He has been great to work with and will be missed."

"It has been enjoyable and a pleasure to work with Lou," said Backus.  "We have worked great as a team, and I feel our department has progressed tremendously."

"Louis was instrumental in strengthening our relationship with the fire and "EMS agencies in the county," explained Backus.  "This relationship is vital in providing the most effective and efficient emergency services in the Clark County.

"It’s been a worthwhile career," concluded Rosandich. "I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I will never forget the [sheriff’s department employees’] faces.  The memories will last forever.