Two longtime Rexburg officers honored as they retire
Published at | Updated at
REXBURG — Two longtime Rexburg Police officers who recently retired were honored during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Lt. Corey Foster worked nearly 28 years for the department and Detective Rick Schmitt had over two decades in service.
“We will miss working with them and wish them both the best in their future endeavors,” the Rexburg Police Department said in a Facebook post. “Love you, brothers!”
Rexburg Police Chief Shane Turman said that Foster began his career at the animal shelter as the animal ordinance officer for the city. He then began working as a reserve police officer before becoming a full-time police officer. He continued to receive training which included graduation from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
“I appreciate all of the services, all of the police officers,” Mayor Jerry Merill said. “I just want to tell you all, especially those of you that are here, thank you for your service. We appreciate all the things you do.”
Schmitt began his career at the department in 1999 after five years as a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, according to Turman. He worked his way into the detective division in 2012 and spent time on the drug task force making undercover buys, arresting suspects and cleaning up drugs off the streets.
“I know the last couple years have been really rough on our whole detective division because of the things that have been with different cases around,” Merill said. “I just want to give you a special thank you for working so hard on the Vallow case and some of these that have been really straining not only on physical health but also mental health.”
Schmitt was honored in February as the 2020 Rexburg Police Department Officer of the Year. At that event, Idaho Central Credit Union gave Schmitt a $1,000 check.
Both officers were given shadow boxes with their badges, rank strips and other items to thank them for their time at the department. Merrill also gave both officers Rexburg blankets which he said will hopefully remind them of all the wonderful years.