Ryan Strange officially assumed the chief of police role for the Galion Police Department on July 24.

Strange began with the department in 2009 as a patrol officer. He was eventually promoted to lieutenant, where he served for nearly five years. He became involved with the Special Response Team, and in 2021, earned the title of detective. He now oversees 14 officers, three lieutenants, two reserve officers, and seven dispatchers.

The Bluffton native comes well-prepared for the new leadership position, having successfully completed the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association trilogy leadership training, a two-decade-old program known for equipping law enforcement agencies with leadership and management skills.

Law enforcement was not Strange’s first career path. He says he’s always had “a passion to help people” but had no specific direction until he met his future wife, whose father was a lieutenant with the Ashland Police Department, during college.

“I have learned and continue to learn so much from him and his experience on the job,” Strange told the Inquirer. “I think it was his influence that led me into the field of law enforcement. I will be forever grateful for that influence because I love what I get to do every day.”

Strange replaces Marc Rodriguez, who was placed on administrative leave in August 2022 and terminated in February when he was found in violation of seven counts of failure of good behavior after just over a year on the job.

“I had no strong ambitions of becoming the chief while in my previous roles,” Strange explained. “During the absence of Chief Rodriguez, there was a strong feeling of uncertainty throughout the department.”

As he handled daily operations, Strange says Chief Phil Jackson of the Galion Fire Department “really took on the bulk of the work.”

“I learned a great deal from Chief Jackson and, in the time spent with him, developed a greater interest in the position of chief,” Strange went on to say. “Ultimately, it was the support from my co-workers at the Galion Police Department that pushed me to accept the chief’s position. I know I am relatively young in my career, but I care for this community, and I care for the well-being of the men and women of the Galion Police Department. It is an honor to lead them.”

A.J. Kaufman is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer.