Former Goessel police chief to focus attention on sheriffs duties
STAR-JOURNAL STAFF
Let the rumors be put to rest: No scandal is behind the resignation of Rollin Schmidt from the Goessel Police Department.
"I've been getting all sorts of calls," Schmidt said, laughing.
The reason for his resignation? A schedule that's a little too busy for his liking.
Schmidt announced his resignation as police chief at Goessel's City Council meeting June 13.
But even as he ends his official job with Goessel law enforcement, he'll continue to be involved with county law enforcement.
That's because he's already a sheriff's deputy, a job he's held for a little more than three years.
Combine that job with a part-time police chief position, and that amounts to a whole lot of work hours.
"I finally decided it's time to slow down," he said.
But he's enjoyed his time with the Goessel force. That's where he got his start in law enforcement nearly four years ago.
"Goessel's been good to me," he said.
Schmidt felt that since he was working full-time for the sheriff's department, he wasn't able to devote all the time to the city police force that Goessel deserved.
"I felt I wasn't doing (the position) justice," Schmidt said. "They need somebody full-time."
Schmidt is a Goessel native. He grew up on a farm south of town and graduated from Goessel High School.
He currently lives within the city limits with his wife, Brenda, who works for Northview Developmental Services in Newton. He has two grown stepchildren, one stepdaughter living in Newton, and one stepson who's a Marine stationed in North Carolina.
Schmidt finds it ironic that he was once a self-described "hell-raiser" who grew up to become chief of the Goessel police.
Just goes to show that you never know where life will lead, he said.
"I have learned never to say never," Schmidt said.
