ISP chief Col. Jerry Russell to retire in January after six years at helm
Col. Jerry Russell, director of the Idaho State Police since January of 2007, plans to retire on Jan. 18, Gov. Butch Otter announced today. “I couldn’t have asked for a better director, a better leader or a better example of a true public servant than I’ve had with Jerry Russell,” Otter said. “I regret losing him, but I know that one of his priorities has been establishing and maintaining a strong bench of leaders at ISP who can continue his great work. ... I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.” Click below for Otter's full announcement.
C.L. “Butch” Otter
GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 19, 2012
12:051
COLONEL JERRY RUSSELL, DIRECTOR OF IDAHO STATE POLICE, TO RETIRE IN JANUARY
(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced today that Colonel Jerry Russell, director of the Idaho State Police (ISP) since January 2007, will retire effective January 18, 2013.
“I am so proud to have had the honor to lead one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the nation through the last six years,” Colonel Russell wrote in an email to ISP employees today. “During our time together, we have met every challenge head on and with a spirit of optimism. No matter how tough the times got, we made it through together.”
Prior to his appointment as ISP director, Colonel Russell served 26 years with the Oregon State Police, rising from patrol officer to bureau commander before becoming chief security officer for Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District in 2001. He became an exercise design specialist for the Idaho Military Division in 2003, and was deputy director for operations at the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security starting in February 2004.
As ISP director, Colonel Russell has focused on improving the working relationship with each of Idaho’s 44 county sheriffs, on improving operations at the POST Academy, and on improving emergency communications and interoperability throughout Idaho’s law enforcement and emergency response community.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better director, a better leader or a better example of a true public servant than I’ve had with Jerry Russell,” Governor Otter said. “I regret losing him, but I know that one of his priorities has been establishing and maintaining a strong bench of leaders at ISP who can continue his great work. I have appreciated his advice and counsel, and his devotion to duty on behalf of the people we serve. Colonel Russell’s contributions will be greatly missed, but I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”
Colonel Russell and his wife of more than 40 years, Terry Lee, have a son and a daughter – both grown – and two grandchildren. They plan to remain in the Boise area.
###
