FOREST CITY — Winnebago County Sheriff Steve Hepperly will step away from law enforcement at the end of the year, closing a career that has stretched more than four decades across North Iowa.
Hepperly submitted his resignation and retirement notification to the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors during its weekly meeting Tuesday morning and said his final day as sheriff will be December 31, 2026.
He is recommending that supervisors appoint current Winnebago County Chief Deputy Sheriff Michael Droessler to take over the office following his retirement.
Hepperly has served Winnebago County for more than 34 years, including the last six years as sheriff, and said his total law enforcement career has exceeded 41 years.
The sheriff acknowledged that he is leaving midway through his current term but said the explanation is straightforward.
“It is time,” Hepperly said.
He said he wants to spend more of his time with family, friends and those who supported him through the demands that accompany a long career in law enforcement.
In his formal resignation letter to supervisors, Hepperly specifically thanked his family for enduring the scrutiny and challenges that can come with being related to a small-county law enforcement officer.
He said retirement will allow him to be more present for his family, grandchildren and especially his wife, Michelle, whom he credited with standing beside him throughout his career.
Hepperly also praised the deputies, dispatchers and other law enforcement professionals he has worked alongside.
“They are the true heroes,” Hepperly said. “I’ve just tried to keep the ship upright and steered straight and implement progress, guidance, and improvement to our department along the way.”
Hepperly said he hopes Winnebago County residents and sheriff’s office employees will remember his tenure as fair, open, honest and grounded in common sense.
The sheriff’s office has handled everything from routine county patrol and criminal investigations to major incidents involving multiple agencies during Hepperly’s years in office.
NIT reported in 2023 when the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office worked with Lake Mills police, state authorities and the FBI to investigate threats involving North Iowa and Lake Mills schools. Investigators ultimately traced the threats to an out-of-state juvenile and determined there was no credible threat to the schools.
The sheriff’s office also remains one of Winnebago County government’s largest operations. NIT reported in July that supervisors approved approximately $2.73 million for the sheriff’s department as part of Winnebago County’s fiscal 2027 appropriations.
Hepperly’s departure will now leave supervisors with a decision about leadership of that operation heading into 2027.
His preferred successor is Droessler, whom Hepperly formally recommended for appointment as sheriff once his retirement becomes effective.
Hepperly made clear, however, that his retirement is as much personal as professional.
He said he wants to leave while he remains healthy and young enough to enjoy life outside law enforcement and devote more attention to the people who supported him during the career.
“I hope that I have made a positive impact on our community and most importantly that I was fair, common sense, and down to earth with everyone I encountered along the way,” Hepperly said.
He reserved some of his strongest words of appreciation for Michelle, calling his wife his rock, biggest cheerleader, confidant and constant source of support.
Hepperly said serving as Winnebago County sheriff has been an honor and thanked residents for placing their trust in him during his six years leading the department.
His retirement becomes effective December 31.