Longest serving ISP trooper to retire
The longest serving trooper from the Idaho State Police will retire at the end of the year. Capt. Danny Bunderson has been on the job for 38 years.
Those celebrating his retirement said the position will be filled, but the person will be missed.
“What does it take to create a legend,” said Col. Ralph W. Powell, “There was the Capt. Bunderson that was the district commander that took care of things and he was a go to guy, but one of the reasons there will be a legend is because of the man, Danny.”
Family, friends and colleagues gathered today to celebrate his career with the Idaho State Police.
Bunderson said retirement is bittersweet.
“When you’ve been with an agency 38 years it’s hard to leave,” he said.
It’s an experience he cherishes.
“I would never trade it. This career has been great for me. The state police is a great agency to work for,” said Bunderson.
But there have been some days that haven’t been easy. He said one of those was in 1998.
“I’ll never forget that day,” he said.
Trooper Linda Huff was shot and killed in the ISP district office in Coeur d’Alene.
“That’s probably the sickest feeling I’ve ever had,” he said.
Bunderson said it was tough losing an officer.
“But we made it through it and we rose above it and we’re stronger today because of that experience,” he said.
He said there are still a lot of good memories. Like the day emergency call boxes were installed in areas where there is no phone service, the times he’s been able to travel because of his job and the relationships he’s developed.
“Those are the ones I’m going to take with me,” Bunderson said. “I will hold those and cherish those for the rest of my life.”
“You don’t belong to an agency that long and not leave a footprint and he has, and it’s a big one,” said Powell.
Capt. Bunderson said he will miss the job, but looks forward to the next chapter of his life.
He played an active role in finding someone for his replacement. The new district commander, Steve Davis, begins Jan. 1.
