Longtime Bonners Ferry Police Chief Dave Kramer - who last year was bestowed with one of the highest honors an Idaho Police Chief can receive - is retiring from the Bonners Ferry Police Department effective Aug. 1.

In a letter to the city of Bonners Ferry dated June 13, Kramer - who has served more than 30 years with BFPD, including 20 years as Police Chief - said he had met the requirements for a law enforcement retirement through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho.

"Even as I look forward to other opportunities, it is very difficult to make the decision to retire because of my enjoyment working with the city and our community," said Kramer, who was named President of Idaho Chiefs of Police Association last December. "The city gave me an opportunity as a rookie fresh out of college in 1978 when I wasn't old enough to purchase my own handgun ammunition, to supporting me later in my career as Chief and also allowing me to attend the FBI Academy."

When Kramer turned 18 years of age, he became a Reserve Officer with the Boundary County Sheriff's Office. After attending the Criminal Justice program at North Idaho College, he joined BFPD. He has also been active in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and participated as one of the Final Leg International Law Enforcement Torch Runners in 1993, carrying the torch through Italy, Austria and Germany.

The current president of the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club, Kramer is the Dive Team Leader for Boundary Search and Dive Rescue and is also an instructor in side-handle baton. Additionally, Kramer has served as a deputy for the Attorney General's Office major crime task force and worked as an intern at the former North Idaho Regional Crime Lab.

"I plan on staying involved with the community and hope to assist the city in any way possible in the future, if needed," he said.