The Colusa County Probation Department said good-bye on Friday to one of the countys longest serving law enforcement officers.
Assistant Chief Gerry Munoz retired from the department on Jan. 29, after 29 years.
Munoz is a 1985 graduate of Colusa High School and graduated from California State University, in Chico, with degrees in social work and Spanish.
Munoz started his law enforcement career, in 1991, at the Fouts Springs Youth Facility, located in the western foothills of Colusa County.
Not long after, Colusa County Chief Probation Officer Carl Wolmack saw in a panel presentation Munoz had given at Colusa County High School, and encouraged him to apply for the probation officer position that was soon to open in his department. Munoz was hired in August, 1992.
” I started out as a deputy probation officer and was assigned to the Student Attendance Review Board,” Munoz said. ” I also ran the work program.
Munoz spent many years working in the adult and juvenile unit, and was with the Colusa County Narcotics Task Force for six years. His favorite duty was as a juvenile traffic hearing officer, but he has especially enjoyed his role training new staff that comes to the department.
Munoz was promoted to Sr. Probation Officer in 2007, and to Chief Deputy Probation Officer in 2009.
Munoz has served as Assistant Probation Chief since 2018, and was the Interim Chief for the 10 months following Chief Steve Bordins departure to head the Butte County Probation Department.
” Every aspect of the job or every assignment was a new experience and a learning experience, and I had a great time,” he said.
Munoz lives in Colusa and is a longtime member of the Colusa Golf and Country Club.
Munoz said he is looking forward to playing more golf upon his retirement.
” I will also do some volunteer work, and I will think about what I want to do,” said Munoz, who is just 55 years old.
To people up and coming in the law enforcement field, Munoz said probation is an exciting and rewarding field.
” Its a good career,” he said. ” I dont regret one minute of picking this career, especially considering all the friends and people I’ve met over the years.
Colusa Probation Chief Michael Rogers announced Munoz retirement to the Colusa County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 19
” Its kind of bittersweet ,” said Rogers, about Munoz departure. ” Anytime someone retires, I think it is a great thing for them, but for the department, its 29 years that is surely going to be missed. Its a big hit. We wish Gerry and his family the best in this new chapter in their lives.” ™£