RIVER FALLS – River Falls Chief Deputy Jon Aubart didn’t want a big fuss made for his last day with the department on Friday, May 14. As he went about his duties, colleagues good-naturedly ribbed him about getting his photo taken. As he provided a tour of the new police station at 2815 Prairie Drive, it was obvious the man behind the badge was proud of his department and profession, though modest about his own accomplishments.

“There are always mixed emotions,” he said. “But you know when it’s time. And maybe I’m a little late to retire, I don’t know.”

But he made a promise to Chief Gordon Young: He would stay until the department was settled in its new location at 2815 Prairie Drive, the former RiverTown Multimedia building.

“It was kind of a nice tying together of my two careers,” Aubart said as he provided glimpses of the new digs.

Aubart didn’t plan on becoming a police officer. It just kind of happened. Little did he know that a fleeting moment would turn into a 33-year law enforcement career.

The Hayward native moved to River Falls in 1985 with his wife. He served as a project manager for 13 years in the construction indus-

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Photo by Sarah Nigbor try. When he moved to River Falls, he was in the middle of his apprenticeship. He looked for a way to get involved in his new community in a meaningful way. Cue fate, when he answered an ad in the newspaper for a reserve officer.

“My dad was always involved in helping others, volunteering his time and giving back to his community,” Aubart said. “I saw an ad in the paper to join the police department as a reserve officer and thought it was a good way to give back.”

He fell in love with the work and decided to apply full-time when the opportunity arose. He attended night school to become certified in law enforcement.

He doesn’t consider his greatest accomplishment to be an award or a single-handed feat of any kind.

“I think my greatest accomplishment may be that I was able to work in nearly every position within the department,” he said.

Beginning as a reserve officer, he moved up the ranks to patrol officer, investigator, the first River Falls School District school resource officer, patrol sergeant, sergeant of investigations, interim chief and deputy chief (a role he’s held for six years).

“I’m going to miss the people as much as anything,” Aubart said. “As you progress through the ranks, your responsibilities change. But I will miss the camaraderie, the back and forth.”

One of the most difficult cases in department history was the Schaffhausen case of 2012. He remembers that tough time as a time everyone came together.

“As the lead investigator in the case, we received the support of all city departments, surrounding agencies and the community that helped bring swift resolution to a horrible event,” Aubart said.

While he loved his job, it had terrible moments too, some that aren’t easily forgotten.

“I went to hundreds of death scenes over more than 10 years,” he reflected. “It included all types of deaths: natural, suicide, homicide, accidental, and traffic accidents. They were all difficult with the children_ being the_ worst. Working with the families in their time of loss was heart wrenching. I don't think that you can ever forget the images or the smells; they just_need to be filed_away properly. Sometimes that is easier_said than_done but you do the best you can and move on.”

Aubart is grateful to the city and department for encouraging training and career advancement opportunities.

“They really value education and making a better place for everyone,” Aubart said.

His most notable training experience was the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy in 2014. Fate was working there, too. He headed to Washington D.C. in the fall to attend the academy, as part of Class #255. However, the federal government shut down four days later and Aubart had to head back home. The government reopened and he returned to the academy’s 10-week course in January 2015.

When he headed to Royal Oak, Mich., later that year to hire Young as the new River Falls police chief, he saw a yellow brick on Young’s desk inscribed with Class #255 on it. He could hardly believe his eyes. He and Young had been part of the same class at the FBI Academy, though they didn’t personally meet.

National Academy graduates receive a yellow brick if they complete the final test of the fitness challenge, a 6.1-mile run on a course built by Marines. They must climb over walls, run through creeks, crawl through muddy water under barbed wire, climb up rock slopes with ropes, and more.

After the government shutdown that had sent them home, Young returned the following spring to complete his training, while Aubart became part of Class #256.

“I’ll never forget that,” Aubart said.

Young will never forget Aubart’s contributions, either.

“Jon touched many lives in a positive way within our agency and in the community,” Young said. “He was a compassionate mentor to our officers and will be missed. I thank him for his 33 years of extraordinary service to River Falls.”_ The future Many people in the United States today are distrustful of police officers, a fact that is not lost on Aubart. He encourages people to remember that most officers are good people with families themselves.

“Try not to jump to conclusions,” Aubart said. “Officers are out there every day helping people in big and small ways that go unnoticed. It may be buying somebody a meal, a pair of shoes, a room for the night or giving them a ride home. I have seen all these things and officers do this on their own with their own money and never say anything. There are things out there that should not happen, but try not to paint everybody with the same brush.”

He believes law enforcement is a rewarding career that can be difficult.

“If you love a challenge, and something different every day, it is great,” he said.

As for Aubart, the next chapter will include more time spent woodworking, camping, tinkering with his sawmill and enjoying time with his 14 grandchildren (ages newborn to 17 years old). He also hopes to continue serving as a supervisor on the Pierce County Board and its various committees.