DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Roxann Ryan announced Friday she will be stepping down Jan. 2, 2019, closing out a career of 36 years of service in state government.
Ryan served as DPS commissioner for the past four years. She joined the Department of Public Safety in 2006. Ryan previously served in the Iowa Attorney General’s office from 1980 to 2004.
Her experience also includes an assistant professorship at Simpson College from 2004 to 2006. Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in 1973), a J.D. from the University of Iowa School of Law in 1980 and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1998.
“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with the fine people in the Department of Public Safety,” Ryan said Friday. “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, chief of the Iowa State Patrol, also announced his intention to retire Jan. 2, 2019, after 36 years of service in the Iowa State Patrol. He served as the 16th colonel of the Iowa State Patrol.
Ritzman is a 1993 graduate of the University of Iowa. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University in 2008.
Ritzman 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). He was also the Basic Academy Camp Commander in the 35th Basic Academy of 2010 and served in the Professional Standards Bureau, the Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center and as executive officer.
“It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve the men and women of the Iowa State Patrol as their colonel,” Ritzman said. “In my eyes, there is no finer group of troopers or people.“ March 3, 2017
