Sheriff Lynch announces retirement

Lynch looks forward to start his second career

By Amie Johansen

amie@charlescitypress.com

Typically plans to spend time with grandchildren and enjoy a slower pace accompany  announcements of retirement — not for Floyd County Sheriff Rick Lynch. Unlike many retirees, Lynch doesn’t plan to slow down, just change gears.  

“In 2017 I’ll turn 50 years old and I’ll be young enough to do a second career,” Lynch said.

Shortly after leaving the Navy, Lynch was asked what he wanted to do next.

“I talked about working with intellectually disabled people,” he said. When asked what his second choice was, Lynch responded with law enforcement. He was advised to follow the career path that excited him most and when it came time to retire transition into a second career.

“Working with intellectually disabled people…has always been a lifelong plan,” Lynch said. In high school, Lynch would volunteer for an hour every Wednesday evening after school at Comprehensive Systems.

According to Lynch, his decision to retire at the end of his term — Dec. 31 — will mark the best timing to begin his second career.

“In the retirement for the sheriffs and deputies if you have 22 years of service and are 50 years old you can collect retirement,” he said. By the time he retires, Lynch will have served for 24.5 years in the Sheriff’s Department and 18.5 years as sheriff. Five weeks after he retires, Lynch turns 50.

Some have suggested to Lynch that serve another year or two, and leave the term early.

“A four year term is a four year term, you have to respect the taxpayers and citizens when they vote for you,” Lynch said. “I don’t believe in leaving before your four years are up…if I left mid-term I’d let the citizens down.”

After being on the top rung of the ladder as sheriff, Lynch is ready start again from the bottom.

“You go back to that entry level person” he said. “I’ll start off working third shift, second shift, doing whatever I can…it’s a career I want and those people need you to be there.”

At this point, Lynch does not envision working his way up the ranks to administration.

“I’m not looking to go in that direction. I’ll take training but I wouldn’t go into get a degree, that puts you in management, I’ve had enough of that,” he said. “Right now I’m looking to go and get my hands dirty and be that entry level person.”