You may recall my frequent assertion that best thing about Republican Kane County Sheriff nominee Don Kramer’s campaign was his promise to keep current Undersheriff Dave Wagner right where he is.
But alas, it was not to be.
Undersheriff Wagner, one of the best law enforcement officers to walk this pale blue planet, will be retiring from the Sheriff’s office on July 3rd. In Dave’s own words:
“The last 5 have been as Undersheriff and have been an amazing way to end my career here at KCSO. I’m planning on entering the private sector immediately. I’m opening my own private practice as a licensed polygraph examiner. I’ve been a licensed examiner for 10 years and I’ve always thought about pursuing that opportunity full-time in the private sector. I’m at a point in my career where I feel like I’ve been blessed to have done everything I’ve wanted to do here at KCSO. Patrol, SWAT, Special Operations, Investigations, and executive-level management. I’m going out feeling very satisfied with the initiatives and accomplishments that I was able to be a part of along with Sheriff Perez. Three Sheriffs and six elections later…I think it’s time to pass the torch.”
When I spoke with Dave this afternoon he told me, “It’s a challenge; it’s something new. I’ m looking forward to that private public sector frontier and I’m gonna give it all I’ve got.” So while the people of Kane County will be the ones who feel this loss, I can’t remember a time when I’ve heard Dave more excited about moving forward.
Tomorrow morning I will embark upon a more fitting farewell for Undersheriff Wagner. Until then, if you see Dave on the street before or after that too solemn date, please offer your hand and thank him for his steadfast service. He has always been the embodiment of the term “public servant.”
We’ll miss you sir!
