HONOR … The Stryker PD Chief was honored with a framed photo of the iconic Stryker water tower. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
Residents, colleagues, friends, and family joined Stryker Police Chief Steve Schlosser at the Stryker Village Hall on Thursday, March 30, to celebrate the retirement from his law enforcement career that spanned 26 years.
Schlosser, a Stryker native and son of Dave and Bobbi Schlosser, began in public service with the Stryker Police Department in 1997.
Leaving SPD in 1999, Schlosser spent some time at both West Unity and Montpelier Police Departments before coming back “home” to Stryker PD in 2005.
Apart from his law enforcement service, Schlosser also served in the Marine Corps from 1988 to 2009, with combat tours in Iraq and Panama.
Schlosser has seen growth and many changes at the SPD during his career. In 2010, he was promoted to Chief taking over for Dan Hughes.
Under Schlosser’s leadership, the department has been able to achieve 24-hour coverage for the village, with one officer per shift.
The department now has a staff of 10, with 3 full-time and 7 part-time officers.
Reflecting on his career and accomplishments, “It’s not so much any one event or anything like that.
“It’s just the fact that I got to serve with so many fine officers,” says Schlosser.
Noting that smaller village police departments often provide local police academy graduates with their first law enforcement career experience, Schlosser is proud to have been able to help give many new officers the opportunity to receive good training before they go on to full-time positions with larger agencies.
Recently, Schlosser earned his substitute teacher certificate and has been subbing in area schools on his days off for grades Kindergarten through 12.
“I have found it to be one of the most rewarding things of my life.” He certainly plans to continue subbing and finishing up the current school year.
Looking on to the future, the father of six children (David, Brandon, Ashley, Aubree, Skylar, and Quinton) says that he has no immediate plans other than spending time with his 10 grandchildren and enjoying camping with his wife, Linda.
“From there, I’ll go where God leads me. That’s what my plan is,” he says, closing out a remarkable career of service to his community.
Amy can be reached amy@thevillagereporter.com