Rozendaal to assume chief deputy sheriff position Jan. 4

After working with the Iowa Department of Public Safety since 1984, Duane Rozendaal will further his Jasper County roots come Jan. 4 as the county’s next Chief Deputy Sheriff.

Rozendaal originally hails from Sully and, after moving everywhere from Iowa City to Grinnell to Searsboro with his family for work with the Iowa State Patrol, returned to the town in 2010.

“I had an opportunity to change State Patrol districts to Des Moines and be assigned to Jasper County,” Rozendaal said of this first step in reconnecting with his hometown. “While working in the more rural counties, I enjoyed working closely with the local sheriff’s offices and police departments. As it was in Poweshiek County, I began building relationships with the officers at the (Jasper County) Sheriff’s office and other local police departments. In the smaller areas you need to rely on officers from other departments for backup.”

Rozendaal’s experience in law enforcement dates back to the 1980s when he began work as a Peace Officer candidate. He was sworn in as a Peace Officer in 1987, and two years later assigned to the State Patrol in Cedar Rapids.

While on the Patrol, Rozendaal served as a certified field trainer for new officers, a firearms and rifle instructor, and taught firearms at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for 19 years.

Despite his hectic work schedule, he has remained involved in the Sully community by serving on the Music and Drama Boosters for Lynnville-Sully schools for five years and, most recently, serving on the Lynnville-Sully School Board, where he is currently vice president.

Although leaving his post at the state patrol is bittersweet, Rozendaal is excited for the new opportunities that await him as Jasper County’s Chief Deputy Sheriff.

“Leaving the State Patrol is bittersweet,” Rozendaal said. “I love working as a Trooper; it has taught me how to be a good law enforcement officer. I will miss the Patrol but am excited to continue my career in the law enforcement field from an administrative side.”

“I am humbled to be asked to help lead the best sheriff’s office in the state,” he added.

As sheriff-elect John Halferty’s right-hand man, Rozendaal believes the county is in good hands. The pair have worked together for several years

“John Halferty is a strong, hardworking leader in the county,” Rozendaal said. “John has been working with (current Sheriff) Mike Balmer for many years, and together they have made the sheriff’s office what it is today. John has lived in the county his whole life and continues to have a vested interest in providing the best service possible to those that live and pass through Jasper County. John is trustworthy and his high level of integrity will continue to improve how law enforcement is done.”

Rozendaal lives in Sully with his wife, Dia, and four children Nick, Austin, Emily and Gabriel. His last day with the State Patrol will be next Thursday, with his first day as Jasper County Chief Deputy Sheriff on Friday.