KXLY
December 30, 2020 2:04 PM Melissa Luck
Updated:
Kootenai Co Sheriff Ben Wolfinger retires after more than 37 years of service
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho As snow piled up around them, patrol cars turned on their lights and sirens and escorted a man of service into retirement.
Wednesday marked the last day before retirement for Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger.
Wolfinger started working for the department in 1983, working his way from the jail through patrol, into the detectives unit and finally, to becoming the sheriff of the North Idaho community in 2013.
Wolfinger also served as a Coeur d’Alene City Councilman and in other leadership roles in the community.
COEUR D ALENE, Idaho Today North Idaho Law Enforcement said goodbye to a man who s been a constant there for nearly four decades. Ben Wolfinger served his last day as Kootenai County Sheriff, taking part in one final tradition on his way out, all units, Sheriff Wolfinger is 10-42 .Â
Wolfinger has worked in law enforcement since 1983 and was elected Sheriff in 2013. In the community, he is arguably most well-known for his constant communication between law enforcement and the public during the search for Shasta and Dylan Groene, who d been kidnapped by death row inmate Joseph Duncan.Â
KHQ joins the community in thanking Sheriff Wolfinger for his service.Â
It s been a great career, but it s time to go : Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger reflects on career ahead of retirement
The North Idaho native first started working for the Kootenai County Sheriff s Office as a detention deputy on April Fool s day in 1983. Author: Taylor Viydo Updated: 5:30 PM PST December 17, 2020
COEUR D ALENE, Idaho Starting New Year s Day, Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger will be out of a job for the first time in over 37 years.
The county s top lawman doesn t mind that, though. The longtime KCSO employee had previously announced that he wouldn t be seeking another term as sheriff and would be retiring.