After almost half a century of service with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Dale Pohto has announced his plans to retire at the end of May. The announcement, made by Sheriff Frank Leonbruno, comes as Deputy Pohto prepares to conclude a notable career that spans 45 years.
In a social media post, Leonbruno highlighted Deputy Pohto's journey, which began in 1980 after he served as a patrol officer for the Village of Fairport Harbor. Throughout his tenure, Pohto has held various roles, including Deputy Sheriff, Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, and School Resource Officer at Auburn Career Center, before moving to the Court Services division. The Sheriff remarked, "Dale began his career nearly 45 years ago in 1980 as a Deputy Sheriff on the Road Patrol after serving as a patrol officer for the Village of Fairport Harbor."
Deputy Pohto's career has been marked by significant changes within the realm of law enforcement, witnessing evolutions in standards, training, and the day-to-day experiences of policing. Sheriff Leonbruno's statement on Deputy Pohto's retirement reflects on these shifts: "Dale has witnessed so many changes from life in our old jail facility, the growth of our various townships, changes in standards and training for the modern day Deputy Sheriff, and so many aspects that have affected policing over the past 45 years."
As one of the longest-serving members of the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Pohto has also been praised for his consistent professionalism and dedication to the community. In Sheriff's words, "Through it all Dale has been an example of professionalism and service to the community." The Sheriff's office, along with the deputy's colleagues and friends, is now preparing to bid farewell to Pohto as he transitions into retirement. Deputy Pohto will officially retire on May 30, concluding a career that has not just been a job, but a lifelong commitment to serving the public.
