STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Grab your bike and roll on over to wish Ketchum Police Chief Dave Kassner the best.
The City of Ketchum is holding a party to honor Kassner who is retiring after 34 years on the job. The party will be held at noon today—Thursday, July 30—at Ketchum Town Square.
Kassner could be called the patron saint of bicyclists around these parts.
He introduced the annual Bike Rodeo for children, offering safety instruction, bike safety checks and helmets each spring.
A certified cycling instructor for the League of American Cyclists, he has had special training on pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and created the mountain bike patrol program for the city. He also formed a bike safety program for the Wood River Trail, also known as the bike path.
Kassner, whose retirement becomes official on Aug. 31, began his law enforcement career with the Ketchum Police Department in 1986. He became a member of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 when the City of Ketchum contracted with Blaine County for law enforcement services.
He was promoted to Chief of Police in 2014 and is a member of the Ketchum Traffic Authority.
“Dave has built trusted relationships with Ketchum residents and visitors,” said Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “His demeanor and approach to difficult situations has earned him a great deal of respect in the community.”
Kassner plans to spend more time with family, in addition to traveling, skiing and volunteering for The Hunger Coalition in retirement.