 Well as 2018 comes to a close so will another chapter for the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office as Phil Hodaap retires after a long career in law enforcement. I Josh Peterson met up with the sheriff to not only reflect but look to the future as well. Over the past 12 years the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office has faced just about every challenge imaginable and all while under the leadership of one man. Sheriff Phil Hodaap sees the past 12 years as a success and seemed like the right time to retire and bring in younger officers. You know it's a bittersweet thing to to leave behind but you know it's time everybody has a time I think when when they think it's it's their time to move on. Not much remains of the once decorated office just some boxes and some paperwork remain creating the need to reflect all while being grateful. Leaders in the sheriff's office are exceptional. I just wanted to make sure that that the continuity and and the exceptionalism continues. The lobby of the law enforcement center proudly displays every sheriff Beltrami County has had in its history and Sheriff Hodaap says that he has no doubt that the 13th sheriff will hit the ground running. Chief Deputy Ernie Beidle will step into his new role as sheriff on January 1st. Hodaap says that Beidle is right for the job. Ernie's doing a great job already he's been my right hand man for a long time and you know he's the transition has gone very smoothly here and you know he's ready to step right in. After celebrating 44 years in law enforcement Hodaap says it was a labor of love and that leaving was bittersweet but the success over the years was only possible because of a wide range of support. I get out in the public a lot and I hear nothing but praise for the work of all the public safety officers. In Bemidji, Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. Prior to serving as Beltrami County Sheriff Hodaap worked 21 years as a special agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.