Idaho’s Top Officer will Step Down

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's top policeman is calling it quits. Col. Jerry Russell of the Idaho State Police is stepping down Jan. 18. The announcement came Monday from Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter. Russell worked for more than a quarter-century for the Oregon State Police. After that, he became the chief security officer for Idaho's Fourth Judicial District in 2001, before stints at the Idaho Military Division and Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. For six years, he's been director of the Idaho State Police. There, he's been trying to improve ties between the state and sheriffs in Idaho's 44 counties. Otter says he regrets losing Russell, but says he leaves behind him a "strong bench." No announcement was made on a replacement.