By Shannon Lukens. (Courtesy photo)

 

From our neighbors in Grand County, Lieutenant Bobby Rauch has announced his retirement from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, after 38 cumulative years in law enforcement. He is also a former Police Chief for Oak Creek. 

Rauch was honored and recognized at a recent retirement party.

 

Press Release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Department; Oct. 1, 2024.

 

LIEUTENANT BOBBY RAUCH RETIRES AFTER 38 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

 

GRAND COUNTY, CO – After thirty-eight cumulative years serving in law enforcement, Lieutenant Bobby Rauch has retired from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. Surrounded by his family and comrades, Bobby was recognized and honored for his unwavering dedication and lifetime commitment to public safety at a retirement party on September 27, 2024.

 

As a youth growing up in Maryland, Bobby always dreamed of working in law enforcement. After high school graduation and realizing that he needed to be age 21 before becoming a police officer, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1983 and served for three years as a Navigator and Operations Officer assigned to the Cutter White Pine Ship stationed out of Mobile, Alabama. He also served in the Security and Logistics Unit assigned to the US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

 

In 1987, Bobby accepted his first Police Officer position at the Brunswick City Police Department in Maryland. In 1988, he transitioned to a Game Warden for the Maryland Natural Resources Police before switching back to the Brunswick City Police Department eight months later.

 

In 1989, Bobby joined the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland. His numerous roles in Frederick County throughout the years that followed provided tremendous opportunities for professional growth and development that would help shape him into the law enforcement professional we admire today. Serving Frederick County initially as a Patrol Deputy / Detective, he was assigned to the Narcotics and Vice Unit while also working as a K-9 Handler assigned to the Frederick County Narcotics Task Force, he was a member of the SWAT Team, and Detective assigned to the Frederick County Narcotics Task Force. Bobby progressed through the ranks at the Sheriff’s Office as a Corporal from 1999 – 2001 and later as a Sergeant from 2001 – 2003 all while supervising the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Special Assignment Unit. His first retirement came in May, 2003.

 

Upon his retirement, and not surprising to anyone that knows Bobby’s strong internal work drive, he immediately began working for the Howard County Police Department in Maryland. He worked his way through the ranks from 2003 – 2012 beginning as a Police Officer and advancing to Detective, Corporal, and Sergeant assigned as the Patrol Team Supervisor for the Communications / Dispatch Center.

 

In 2012, Bobby felt called to Colorado and after completing the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Police Academy and receiving his Colorado P.O.S.T. certification, soon realized in the famous words of John Muir, that “The mountains were calling, and (he) must go.”

 

Starting off as a Police Officer at the Oak Creek Police Department in 2012, he was quickly promoted to Police Chief during his two years there.

 

In 2014, Bobby joined the Fraser Winter Park Police Department as a Police Officer and spent the next four years thoroughly enjoying his time working alongside his shift partners (several that are still working there today). He joined the Middle Park Emergency Response Team and was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2017.

 

When Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin came looking for his next Patrol Division Lieutenant in 2018, Bobby accepted. Since that time, Bobby eventually transitioned to the Special Operations Lieutenant position and oversaw Investigations, Wildland Fire, Search and Rescue, Animal Control, Backcountry Snowmobile Patrol, Bike Patrol and Boat Patrol.

 

The positive difference and impact one person can have throughout a life lived in public service is truly immeasurable.

 

Sheriff Brett Schroetlin expressed, “Lieutenant Bobby Rauch’s exemplary law enforcement career and his focus on community policing serves as a reminder for each of us why we entered this profession and he will always be a mentor to me.”

 

In his retirement, Bobby plans on spending more time with those he loves. He has deep ties with his daughters, Sarai Childs and Rebekah Martin, grandson Finley Childs, and devoted partner, Sandi Poltorak.