Linn County sheriff appoints new chief deputy

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Linn County Sheriff's Office has a new chief deputy.

The sheriff's office announced Wednesday that Col. Douglas A. Riniker, a 25-year employee, had been appointed the office's chief deputy, succeeding Col. John Stuelke, who retired Tuesday after a 38-year career.

Riniker started his career with the sheriff's office Feb. 22, 1995, working as a deputy in the Linn County Correctional Center.

He transferred to the Patrol Division on Jan. 28, 2001, and on June 11, 2006, was promoted to sergeant and assigned as a supervisor in the Linn County Correctional Center.

When Sheriff Brian Gardner took office on Jan. 2, 2009, he named Riniker as one of his second deputies with the rank of major.

Riniker was responsible for the office's finance and civil divisions.

Comments: (319) 398-8238; kat.russell@thegazette.com