Bear Lake sheriff retires after 41-year career

After a career of more than four decades in law enforcement, Bear Lake County Sheriff Brent Bunn is retiring.

This week, an open house was held to honor Bunn and his long career, which he said has been very rewarding.

“I’ve had a great career,” Bunn said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better than to have my career here in Bear Lake. It’s where I grew up and it’s such a beautiful area and people have been so supportive of me.”

Bunn has been the Bear Lake County Sheriff for 32 years, winning eight elections during his career.

But he’s been in law enforcement for 41 years. He’s worked as a dispatcher, a patrolman and as deputy sheriff.

Bunn is no stranger to the Bear Lake area. He was born in Montpelier and grew up in Paris. He has lived in Bear Lake County his entire life.

Bunn was elected sheriff in January 1985 and has served ever since. He said he’s loved being able to serve in his hometown.

He said the most rewarding part of the job has been when he’s been able to hire people and change their life. He said working with the people has also kept him going.

But now he said it’s just time for him to go to the next chapter of his life and let someone else take the reins of sheriff.

He said while he will miss the job, he’s ready to move forward.

“It’s certainly going to be different,” Bunn said. “I mean, I just have gotten up and gone to work every day forever and now I won’t be getting up to go to work, but the best thing will be I won’t have the liability or the responsibility that I’ve carried for the last 32 years. So that’s going to feel a little different, I think, not to have that stress and I’m looking forward to it.”

Bunn has served in a lot of organizations and earned several awards over the years. He’s also held several leadership positions. A list of some of his accomplishments is included:

Leadership:
Tri-State Peace Officers Association President (2 years)
Tri-County Sheriff’s Association President (2 years)
Idaho Sheriff’s Association Secretary
Idaho Sheriff’s Association Second Vice President
Idaho Sheriff’s Association President
Chairman of the Civil School Committee
Idaho Association of Counties Secretary
Idaho Association of Counties Second Vice President
Idaho Association of Counties First Vice President
Idaho Association of Counties President

Awards:
Mills-Adler Award Recipient (1999)
Bear Lake County Search and Rescue Association Outstanding Member of the Year (2000)

Bunn has also been a member of the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program for 16 years.

Bunn said he has no official plans for what he wants to do in his retirement. But he said he does want to spend more time on some of his hobbies like motorcycle riding, golf and photography.

Bart Heslington will replace Bunn as sheriff. Heslington is currently the chief deputy. Bunn said he has no doubt that Heslington will do a great job.

Heslington will be sworn in as sheriff on Jan. 9.