Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush Retiring

After 37 years of devoted service as a law enforcement professional with the Sturgis Police Department, Chief Jim Bush is retiring on January 22, 2016. Chief Bush joined the Sturgis Police Reserves in 1978. He was hired as a full-time Patrol officer in 1979. He graduated Standards in February 1980. Jim was promoted to Sergeant in the Patrol Division in 1985. He became the Chief of Police in 1990, a position he has held without interruption ever since, making him the longest serving Chief of Police in the State of South Dakota.

As Chief he implemented and promoted community policing for Sturgis. The Chief also works proactively with the local school district and introduced the School Resource Officer program into the local schools. He enhanced animal control services, jointly building a new shelter facility with Meade County. And, of course, the Chief has overseen law enforcement for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He is one of few officers in the State who can say they worked both the 50th and the 75th Rallies.

The Chief serves on the Board for the Action for the Benefit of the Community (ABC), and has served as the President of both the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association as well as the Sturgis United Way. The Chief was honored to receive the 2015 Chief John Wainman Sr. Service Award from the SD Police Chiefs’ Association. This past summer, the Chief was also inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He was also awarded their J.C. “Pappy” Hoel Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the Rally and the motorcycling industry.

Chief Bush’s professionalism, experience, expertise, and dedicated service are recognized, appreciated and admired by his colleagues, co-workers, and law enforcement agencies across the State and nation. Chief Bush will be greatly missed and the City wishes him the best of luck in his retirement, knowing that Jim will enjoy spending time with family and friends, hunting, and traveling. Jim has been married to his wife Vicki for 47 years. The couple has four children and 12 grandchildren.

Sturgis Police Department’s Assistant Chief, Geody VanDewater, will assume the role of Chief upon Chief Bush’s retirement.