LAKEPORT >> An historic first at the Lakeport City Council saw a heartfelt tribute to retiring Chief of Police Brad Rasmussen and the administering of the oath of office for his successor Captain Dale Stoebe, the latter elevated to chief, August 6.
Rasmussen thanked City Manager Kevin Ingram for allowing him the honor to swear in Stoebe. “It’s a rare occasion when you have a new chief and the old chief is still there,” Rasmussen said. “Usually, the old chief is long out of the picture quite some time before a new chief is identified. So, we’ve been working to have a succession plan. I am proud to have as my last act as chief to swear in Dale tonight.”
He explained Stoebe is as committed to the community as he is to the department. “I’ve been fortunate enough to promote him to lieutenant and captain,” Rasmussen recalled. “In addition to learning his duties, he is learning the chief’s role the last five years,” he said. “We are confident in Dale’s ability to move the police department forward and I’m optimistic the city is in good hands moving into the future.”
Lake County Sheriff Rob Howe remembered he was fortunate to work with Rasmussen 25 years ago in the Narcotic Task Force. “I learned early on Brad is a Pit Bull, once he sinks his teeth into something he will not let go until he’s achieved his objective,” he said. I think that will serve him well in the future. Congratulations (on retirement) I am looking forward to still working with you.”
George Spurr, former Lakeport City Councilman noted he knew Rasmussen before he was a member of the council. “He actually encouraged me to become a council member,” he said. “He wears multiple hats- I don’t understand where he gets all this time to do all this stuff; Kiwanis, Lions and now he’s going to be a member of the Board of Supervisors. Spurr went on he does not know where Rasmussen gets his energy as he frequently is involved with the community. “He helped me out when I needed him. He’s a good guy. Thank you Chief. Hope you have fun in the next path in your life.”
Mendocino County Sheriff Mat Kendal had met Rasmussen and Howe when they attended Police Academy together and noted they are connected by Highway 20 as well as connected by fires, floods, and robberies. “It seems one thing his body does not do is produce adrenaline, ” he said. ” It (police challenges) would wind me up and cause me to lose sleep. I’d speak to Bradley about it, and he’d say, ‘Oh we’ll work it out.’ Then you’d call Bradley, and say I got this huge problem, and he said, ‘I got the same problem.’ And what did you do about it,’ I’d ask. “Oh, let’s have a cup of coffee about it … it’ll be happening in five minutes.”
Rasmussen informed Kendal he was going to run for the Board of Supervisors last year. Kendal replied he’d like to tell him what a self-inflicted injury looked like. “But I knew he’d be moving on to bigger and better things,” Kendal said. “He has a willingness to always come to the table. He has great points of view, bridging gaps we don’t see happening now. Whenever we had emergencies, he’d answer yes and ask how we can start working in the same direction. He was a role model for me, and for all of us in law enforcement.”
Incoming Chief Stoebe recalled he’d entertain fleeting thoughts what he might do as police chief. Yet as he worked his way up the ranks to good positions, his focus would turn to maintaining that stable position. “But the real reason we get into law enforcement is thinking of what others need, is more a concern than what we need ourselves,” he said. “The reason I’m still here is because of Chief Rasmussen. “The patience you taught me, the wisdom you shared is definitely a big reason is why I’m here and I appreciate that. I can only hope that you handled so many obstacles that I don’t have to do any more moving forward. I hope to continue to be tolerant, patient, and understanding. Those kinds of strengths I’ve drawn from you and all who worked in law enforcement. I’ll strive to work hard to make all of you proud of me.”
