HomeMy WebLinkAboutEPD_RofidalPromotion
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Martin, Communications Assistant
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Officer Kevin Rofidal Promoted to Sergeant
Edina, Minn., Dec. 17, 2012 – On Jan. 1, Edina Police Officer Kevin Rofidal will start his new role as
Sergeant with the Edina Police Department.
A 15-year veteran of the department, Rofidal will fill a vacancy left by Steve Stroh, who died last August after
a four-year battle with multiple myeloma. Rofidal said even though he’s looking forward to the position, his
advancement is bittersweet.
“Nobody wanted the position to open like this,” he said. “But I’ve known Steve for 20 years and I know Steve
would be happy right now.”
Raised in Edina, Rofidal joined the Department’s Law Enforcement Explorers Post when he was 14 years old.
He started his first job with the City two years later when he worked at the Cornelia Park warming house.
For the next few years, Rofidal worked for the City’s Public Works Department.
After completing his police skills training, Rofidal joined the Reserves program for Carver County, where he
spent time patrolling the area water and trails. In 1995, Rofidal was hired as a police officer for the City of
Farmington, Minn. After spending two years with the City of Farmington, Rofidal was hired as a patrol officer
for the Edina Police Department.
Looking to enhance his career with the Police Department, Rofidal joined the SWAT team in 1998; two years
later, he also joined the U.S. Coast Guard and is currently stationed out of Duluth, Minn. Though Rofidal is
proud of his involvement with the SWAT team and the Coast Guard, it’s revitalizing the Edina Police
Department’s K-9 program in 2001 that he claims as his biggest success. His K-9, Kodiak, retired in 2010.
“There are a lot of jobs where people come to work, punch the clock and do the time,” said Rofidal. “Then
there are other people who try to take advantage of the opportunities.” Rofidal attributes his work ethic to
his two grandfathers, one of whom served as chief of police for Brainerd, Minn.
As sergeant, Rofidal will supervise six officers on his night shift. He will field questions from his team and from
the public as well as review reports and ensure all in-custody arrests are processed correctly. In addition to
his supervisor duties, Rofidal will still be responsible for patrolling the City, making arrests and assisting his
officers on various calls.
“Residents are going to find someone [in Rofidal] who supports their interests, will listen and knows what the
community is about,” said Chief Jeff Long. “He’s not just an employee -- he’s vested in the City.”
For more information, contact the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610.
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