Long-time friend and co-worker Travis Marsh shares a few laughs with Chris Francis.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Friends and family came together Saturday afternoon, early evening, Aug. 27, to help Chris Francis celebrate his retirement from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. The event was held at The Owl’s Nest, CR 800N, North Webster. Several hundred people came and went during the four-hour open house.

Welcome to the celebration.

Hosted by his wife Leanne and his mother, Lisa Strombeck, the room was filled with brown and gold balloons and large gold stars. A shadow box honoring his years of service was displayed along with two model vehicles — an old police car like his grandfather drove and his sheriff’s truck were among the items displayed.

Guests had the opportunity to see a slide show featuring numerous photos of his years on the department.

Francis retired after 18 years on the department, where he began working part time with the work release program in 2004. A year later he joined the department full time as a jailer, moving up to the rank of corporal.

He became a sheriff’s deputy in 2007 reaching the rank of sergeant while working as a road patrol officer. The last 3 1/2 years he became the sheriff’s office public information office. Patrolling was still in his blood, frequently out patrolling the county roads, particularly in the North Webster area.

He will begin his new job Sept. 1 with the Warsaw Police Department.

Francis is a familiar face around North Webster. It’s a community where he has deep roots, and a passion to serve. He follows in the footsteps of his grandfathers, who both were police officers,

His family goes back generations in the community, where his grandfather, Tony Strombeck, served as town marshall for 20 years. It was at the young age of 6 that Francis put on his first uniform and patrolled the town of North Webster, even making a few arrests using his dart gun.

His desire to serve went beyond law enforcement

At the age of 16 he joined the North Webster Fire Department, where his grandfather Strombeck had also served. He also worked with the Plain Township EMS while working with his grandfather on a milk route.

He will continue wearing many hats as he still serves on the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory as a firefighter, and holds the Tippecanoe Township Trustee position for a second term.

Francis, in his normal friendly manner, made efforts to talk with every one of his guests who attended, sharing memories and laughs.