ROCHELLE — At the end of July, Rochelle Police Department Detective Sgt. John Kaltenbach retired after 21 years with RPD. Kaltenbach was recognized by the city council at its Aug. 12 meeting. 

After working patrol for his first 2.5 years with RPD, Kaltenbach spent the rest of his career in investigations. He also served the department as a firearms instructor, an OC instructor, a TASER instructor, and a use of force instructor. He also took youth of the community on boundary waters camping and canoeing trips, taught hunter safety courses, implemented the first citizens police academy RPD did, and served on the boards for Foundation for Focus House, Ogle County Drug Court, and Ogle-Lee Crime Stoppers. 

“I grew up in Ashton,” Kaltenbach said. “My mom was a nurse at Rochelle Community Hospital and worked nights and I'd stop in and see her. I got to meet Evan Ruggeberg, who was a sergeant here. Evan and I became friends and that got me involved in law enforcement when I was in high school. I graduated and went to Sauk Valley Community College and got my degree in law enforcement. Then I started working construction. I met my wife and she pushed me to pursue my passion of law enforcement. I tested with four agencies: Sterling, Beloit, Rockford and Rochelle. RPD offered me the first job and I've been here ever since.”

Kaltenbach was promoted to detective sergeant in 2022. He oversaw the investigations division and school resource officers, followed up cases when needed and was in charge of evidence. He enjoyed policing because every day was different, with not knowing what would ensue every time the radio went off. 

Kaltenbach also liked policing in a small-town atmosphere.

“You get to know the community and the community gets to know you,” Kaltenbach said. “When someone would have a problem, they called me directly and I could help with those situations. And I loved driving in the parades and working heritage festivals. I liked the parades because my kids loved to ride with me and throw candy. I liked going to schools and giving talks about what we do. Those things were important to my kids and my family.”

RPD’s investigations division typically works on felony-level cases. Kaltenbach said doing that for 18.5 years became “a lot to deal with” at times. Working investigations in small towns for so many years can be good and bad, he said. 

“It’s good because you’re able to help people you’ve built relationships with when they need help,” Kaltenbach said. “The bad side of it is, you have to give people you know bad news. There were a lot of hard cases. At first you compartmentalize. When you're in the middle of those high-stress situations day in and day out, it does weigh on you and affect you. It really took hold when I had kids. That changed things. It makes you see things differently, especially when you're dealing with cases that involve children.”

Kaltenbach is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, camping, canoeing and fishing. Years ago after wanting to do something to give back to the community, he started taking area youth on canoeing and camping trips up north with help from donated sponsorships. Those trips resulted in some of his best memories over the years.

“I'd try to get students that maybe wouldn't be able to do something like that on their own,” Kaltenbach said. “That really took off and I enjoyed doing it and made great relationships with a lot of the students later in life and I still talk to a lot of them and their parents. It was a way to give back to the community and it gave them a different perspective on law enforcement when they saw me in that light. Every trip, there's been one or two really significant things that happen that you remember. I'd see kids become friends that never would at the high school.”

Kaltenbach said he’s still acclimating to not working for RPD anymore. He called it strange to not be at work interacting with the other officers and not having his squad car parked outside his house. But he has enjoyed not having to worry about his phone ringing at 2 a.m. about a case anymore. 

Retirement for Kaltenbach and his family will include traveling in an RV for a year. His choice to leave RPD came because he and his wife were able to make that happen. He’s excited to see the country and show the country to his kids. 

“It's bittersweet,” Kaltenbach said. “Yes, I'm ready to leave and go onto the next thing, but I'm not. We have a lot of good, young officers now at RPD that I would've loved to stay and help mold and advise and direct. I've been given an opportunity where everything lined up. I always wanted to travel after I retired when the kids were out of the house. We got an opportunity to do that now with our kids. I enjoyed working in the community and I appreciate all of the people that supported me and everything I've done over the years.”