Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency Director Ed Rock, left, poses with his wife Lee Ann at a party held for him in the Kosciusko County Justice Building on Thursday, March 30, the day of his retirement.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency Director Ed Rock has celebrated his retirement after 20 years with the county.

He was honored with a party on Thursday, March 30, the day of his retirement, in the Kosciusko County Justice Building. Family, friends and fellow county employees were present.

Among attendees was Winona Lake Fire Department Public Information Officer Mike Cox.

“(Ed) was a good mentor when I was doing (emergency management work) for the city of Warsaw,” he said. “When I had questions, he was my reference and we traveled to conferences (together).”

He called Rock “always a friend,” noting that both of them had served with fire departments. Rock has been a volunteer fireman with the Mentone Fire Department for more than 40 years.

Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger referenced Rock being the county’s first-ever EMA director.

“He’s seen it from its infancy stage to what it is today and he’s been a great employee and really has helped the county through some difficult situations and emergencies along the way and we just appreciate his service to the county,” he said. “We look forward to what (incoming EMA Director Kip Shuter’s) going to bring to the … position.”

Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith said Rock will “be missed.”

“He’s been around here for a lot of years. He’s been helpful to a lot of us officers and other entities of the county … but I wish him all the luck in the future,” said Smith.

Rock said he was eager himself “to see where Kip’s going to take this department because I think there’s going to be some great changes and I’m looking forward to it.”

In an interview with InkFreeNews earlier this year, Rock said he was looking forward to spending more time with his and wife Lee Ann Rock’s family after his retirement.

Ed Rock, right, visits with the Warsaw Police Department’s Justin “Tug” Curtis, center, and Curtis’ wife Laura Curtis.

A look at some of the group that came to the party.

A table was set up at the party with items including a shirt that Lee Ann Rock bought for her husband.