DES MOINES, Iowa- The leader of the state agency that oversees the State Patrol is retiring. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Roxann Ryan plans to leave the department in January, after a 36-year career in state government. Ryan has been commissioner for the past four years, after joining DPS in 2006. She previously served in the Iowa Attorney General's Office.
“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with the fine people in the Department of Public Safety,” she said. “I have long had tremendous respect for the work that they accomplish and for their dedication to public safety in countless ways. There is no doubt that I will miss working with these public servants day to day, but we can all be assured that they will continue to put public safety first for everyone in Iowa.”
Colonel Jeff Ritzman, the Chief of the Iowa State Patrol, is also retiring in January, after 36 years of service in the Iowa State Patrol. He served as the 16th Colonel of the Iowa State Patrol. The Colonel began his career with the Iowa State Patrol in 1982 and served as a Trooper in District 12 (Stockton), a Sergeant in District 13 (Mount Pleasant), and a District Commander in District 1 (Des Moines).
“It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve the men and women of the Iowa State Patrol as their Colonel. In my eyes, there is no finer group of Troopers or people,.“ said Colonel Ritzman.