With Jasper County Sheriff Mike Balmer set to retire on Monday, a reception in his honor will be from 1 to 4 p.m. today at the Jasper County Community Center before sheriff-elect John Halferty will be sworn in Wednesday.
Here’s a look at what Balmer has accomplished in his 38 years with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and what Halferty brings to the table for the new year.
Mike Balmer
• 60 years old
• 1970: Graduated from Newton Senior High School
• 1974: Became sheriff reserve deputy of Jasper County
• 1999: Became sheriff of Jasper County
• 2003: Became elected-sheriff of Jasper County
• 1988: Married to his wife, Kim
• 2012: Retiring after 38 years in the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
• Served as legislative committee for the Iowa State Sheriffs & Deputies Association
• Chairman of Gold Star Publications
• Has a son and a daughters and two step-daughters
• Has three granddaughters
John Halferty
• 46 years old
• 1984: Graduated from Newton Senior High School
• 1986: Graduated from DMACC with an associate degree in criminal justice
• 1987: Became an officer at the Newton Police Department
• 1988: Married wife, Kendra
• 1995: Became DARE instructor
• 1997: Became an Officer of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department
• 1999: Became member of the Jasper County Tactical Team
• 2000-present: Volunteer firefighter for the City of Mingo
• 2007-present: High school assistant football coach for Colfax-Mingo
• Has one daughter Kalyn, 22, and one son Jacob, 18
• Member of the First Baptist Church in Colfax