Signing off: Former Whiteside sheriff’s candidate Schmidt retires after 21 years

MORRISON – Former Whiteside County sheriff’s candidate Sgt. Kris Schmidt retired Tuesday after 21 years with the department.

He and his wife, former Sterling Police Detective Sgt. Sarah Schmidt, are heading to The Last Frontier to start a new adventure there.

“We have a new outlook and a new lease on life,” he said.

Kris, 50, who ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 2018, will be working with the Adult Probation & Parole Department in Fairbanks, Alaska.

He grew up in Lyndon and is a 1990 Prophetstown High School grad. He was a security police officer with the Air Force until 1995, worked for the DeWitt (Iowa) Police Department for a while then returned home to work for the Whiteside County sheriff in 2001. He also worked part-time for the Morrison and Albany police departments.

“You were a true asset to our agency and will be greatly missed by your fellow law enforcement officers, as well as all those you served and protected over the many years,” the department posted in its Facebook page. “We sincerely hope you and your family enjoy the new chapter of your life! Safe travels, Sgt. Kris Schmidt #307!”

Sarah, who has been involved in corn and soybean seed sales since her retirement 3 years ago, likely will be doing something similar to satisfy her passion for agriculture, and maybe also getting involved with search and rescue work, Kris said.

They’ve been to Alaska several times.

“I’m not a big hunter or fisherman, but I do love to hike and explore,” Kris said. “We want to explore, we want tor really check out the Alaska wildlife.”

They’ve sold their small farm in Morrison, and a new traditional log cabin home is under construction in Salcha, a Fairbanks suburb; it’s scheduled to be done in April.

None of the couple’s six children – Jordan, 23, Elizabeth, 22, Wade, 20, Gracyn, 19, Madelyn, 18, or Jaicee, 18 – “has expressed an interest in coming to Alaska with us, they’re all busy in their own lives,” Kris said.

But with their first grandbaby, a boy, born in October, “I’m sure we’ll come back quite a bit.”