Sheriff Wolfe Announces Retirement

I want to thank the citizens and voters of Polk County as I announce my retirement, effective November 30th, 2015, for the support and belief you have had in me as your Sheriff. While it has been a wonderful journey and I have valued the trust you have placed on me, it now comes time for my wife Gail and I to begin enjoying more time with our children and grandchildren. After carrying the badge for nearly 39 years, and 16 of those years as your Sheriff I can tell you it is bitter sweet to announce my retirement.  However, Gail will retire on the same day after 27 years working at Western Oregon University, it is now time for us to begin enjoying more time together.

I am looking forward to giving back some time to my family for all those long shifts, call outs in the middle of the night, and missed family events for the last 39 years. I have truly enjoyed my service to Polk County and leave knowing I will leave the Sheriff's Office as it begins to rebuild after the last several years of dismantling due to budget reductions. I have been very fortunate to have worked alongside professional public safety employees and volunteers. I worked hard to make sure I surrounded myself with dedicated employees who assisted me every day with the challenges of this profession. Without them the success and respect for the Polk County Sheriff's Office would not have been possible, they are the ones who deserve the credit.  I only was able to pull a few levers to steer the ship on this journey, they are the ones who make everything happen and the citizens of this county can be proud of the employees and volunteers of the Sheriff's Office.

I would like to also take this opportunity to encourage the appointment and subsequent election of Detective Sergeant Mark Garton as your next Sheriff.  Sgt. Garton has lived in Polk County his entire life and is dedicated to successful operation of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.  He has been with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office since 1997 where he started out as a explorer cadet and eventually hired as a part-time records clerk. Sgt. Garton later worked in the Polk County Jail as a corrections technician and a corrections deputy. Sgt. Garton then transferred to the patrol division where he has served as a patrol deputy, detective, patrol sergeant and to his current position as the detective sergeant where he has served as the supervisor of the Polk County Interagency Narcotics Team and the detectives section.  

Again, I would like to say thank you to the citizens of this county.  It has been my pleasure serving you and I will continue until my last day Sheriff of Polk County.