Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Timmons will retire at the end of his term
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WEBSTER CITY -- Sheriff Doug Timmons will not seek re-election to his position in Hamilton County when his term expires he announced Wednesday.
Instead, he will retire from a life in law enforcement that was inspired by his father, Gene Timmons, who was a Webster City police officer.
"After 30 years of service in law enforcement, this letter is to announce that I will not be seeking re-election as your Hamilton County Sheriff," Timmons said in a media release. "I will be retiring at the end of my current term.
"This decision was not easy. Law enforcement is all I have known for the past 30 years; I will greatly miss my profession."
Being Hamilton County Sheriff is more than just a job to Timmons, of Stratford. It is also a family tradition of serving in law enforcement.
"With my dad being in law enforcement as I was growing up, I saw it all, the good, the bad and the ugly," Timmons said in 2017 shortly after he was first elected sheriff in Hamilton County.
When he was young, his dad would come home at night or in the morning and the first thing he would ask was, "Dad what happened?" His interest only grew as his dad shared the stories of his days on the job. Hearing the stories, he knew that's what he wanted to do.
Timmons began his career in law enforcement in February of 1995.
"I started my law enforcement career 30-plus years ago serving as a Webster City Police Department reserve officer. In 1995 I joined the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office as a deputy. In 2000 we moved back home, and I joined the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office as a deputy.
"The last 30 years have been both memorable and heartbreaking. Some calls brought smiles and others brought tears. Those conversations, smiles and tears were heartfelt and will never be forgotten," he said.
"The last eight years have been the most memorable of my career. In the last eight years we have had many challenges come our way and we have conquered those challenges. When I say 'we' I mean the great men and women that make up the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. This office would not be what it is today without my dedicated employees. Thank you for all that you do," he said.
"Special thanks to my wife Mari Jo and son Noah for standing by me throughout my career. When you are in a 24-7 service profession you miss a lot of family time. In retirement I hope to make up for some of that lost time.
"Thank you, Hamilton County, for all the love and support you have shown. It has been a privilege to serve as your Hamilton County sheriff."
Jerry Kloberdanz, chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors, issued a statement on behalf of the entire board Wednesday:
"We would like to say thank you for everything you have done for the people of Hamilton County and the surrounding areas. You have been a dedicated public servant who has placed the people of Hamilton County as a priority above all else. We know that you will still be here leading your department and making sure the public is protected in the year to come. Thank you for everything you do. We appreciate it."