Former Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland passes away at 67

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — Former Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland has passed away at the age of 67 following a brief illness after surgery on August 22nd, according to his online obituary.

Rowland spent decades in public service, starting as a state trooper before serving as Bingham County chief deputy, emergency preparedness director, and deputy coroner.

He was elected Bingham County sheriff in 2012, holding the office for ten years and heavily participating in regional search and rescue operations.

However, his decade-long tenure as sheriff ended in controversy. In 2021, Rowland faced felony charges after a confrontation involving a local youth group. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, then-Blackfoot Mayor Marc Carroll, and the Blackfoot Police Department later called for his resignation following offensive comments against the Fort Hall community. Rowland ultimately stepped down in 2022 after pleading guilty to aggravated assault.

In his online obituary, family members highlighted his career of community involvement, writing in part: "His legacy can be found in the communities he helped protect, the people he helped in moments of crisis, the officers who served beside him...and the family who loved him."

Funeral services are set for this Friday, August 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot, with a viewing scheduled Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.