Born and raised in Minot, ND, Robert has always been an intrinsic part of the Ward County community. He graduated from Minot High School in 1982, and then joined the United States Marine Corps in 1985. During his service in the USMC, he was also assigned to an honor guard, acting as pall bearer and a member of the rifle squad for military funerals. After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1989, R
obert decided to pursue a career in Law Enforcement, a family tradition. Robert’s connection with Law Enforcement began in his youth while watching his paternal grandfather and uncle serve in this honorable profession. Army World War II Veteran), served as Ramsey County Sheriff for 16 years, and uncle, William Roed (U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran), is a retired Sergeant for the Devils Lake Police Department. Their years of service and dedication is what ultimately motivated Robert to attend Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND, where he graduated from the Peace officer Training Program. In 1990, Robert was hired as part-time Ward County Corrections Officer, which soon became a full-time position. He advanced to Patrol Deputy in 1992, assigned to Makoti for three years. In 1995, he transferred back to Minot, where he created an emergency reaction team for the Ward County Jail, and worked as a Field Training Officer and weapons instructor. Subsequently, he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, and then progressed to Patrol Lieutenant, a position he served for 12 years. As Lieutenant, Robert supervised the patrol division, set schedules, supervised the field training program, set up in-house training, and prepared performance evaluations. He was promoted to Captain in 2015, where he was appointed department training officer. His other duties as Captain included supervising civil process, court officers, transport division, warrants, and front door courthouse security officers. Having the honor of serving Ward County for 27 years, Robert has been awarded such distinctions as Ward County Sheriff’s Department Officer of the Year, Minot Exchange Club Officer of the Year, and the ND POST Exceptional Performance award. On a personal level, Robert and his wife of 33 years, Melissa, have made their home in Minot, where they have raised two children and are integral members of the community. Throughout the nearly 30 years living and working in Ward County, Robert has been actively involved in coaching youth sports, such as T-ball, baseball, girls’ softball, and football. He also served three years as assistant coach for Minot High Varsity Girls’ Fast-Pitch softball. Recently, Robert has been appointed as Sergeant of Arms in Minot’s newly-formed John M. Joyce Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Though the Marine Corps and educational opportunities have led him to other parts of the country, Robert has always felt drawn back to Ward County, a place in which he was privileged to be raised, honored to protect and serve, and proud to call home.
