Simsbury Animal Control Officer Retiring After 17 Years

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury's animal control officer will retire next week after 17 years of service, the Simsbury Police Department announced.

Officer Mark Rudewicz's last day at the Simsbury Police Department will be Jan. 31, and the public is invited to stop by the Main Fire House (871 Hopmeadow St.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day to thank him and wish him well, Chief Nick Boulter wrote on Facebook.

Rudewicz joined the department after he retired as lieutenant from the Hartford Police Department in 2004. Boulter said the officer has "lived a lifetime of service" and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

"In addition to his wealth of knowledge and experience as a police officer, Mark brought compassion, personality, a ton of energy and a love for life," Boulter wrote. "He quickly became a well-known figure in Simsbury and the region; one with knowledge, resources and humor."

Boulter said Rudewicz became more of a "Game Warden" than a traditional animal control officer because of his work with domesticated animals, livestock and wildlife.

He even created the "Heroes and Hounds" program, which collected and shipped care packages to military personnel and their K9 partners around the world, Boulter's Facebook post said.

"Mark Rudewicz served 17 years with pride and distinction," Boulter wrote. "We thank him and will miss him dearly."