Grand Forks County Sheriff Bob Rost and Sgt. Greg Sampson go to Choice Fitness in Grand Forks practically every morning. Since Tuesday, Rost has been telling Sampson, "This is your last Tuesday, your last Wednesday, your last Thursday."
And Monday will be Sampson's last at the Sheriff's Department.
Sampson, who has been with the department for 36 1/2 years, celebrated his retirement Thursday afternoon with coworkers and friends, cake, punch and lots of lighthouse-themed gifts.
"We know how much you love lighthouses, shipwrecks and anything to do with the Great Lakes," administrative assistant Michelle Olson said as she handed Sampson a basket of gifts.
Bridgie Hansen, Grand Forks County Juvenile Detention administrator, gave Sampson two birdhouses shaped like lighthouses.
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"He is just remarkable," Hansen said. "He was always kind, always caring, always empathetic."
And those are traits that are important in a job like Sampson's, Hansen said. Sampson worked in the civil division, and he doesn't always deal with people happy to see him, Rost said.
"He did it in such a way that I never got any complaints about Greg," Rost said. "It will be tough shoes to fill. You'll be missed."
"I'm just honored beyond words," Sampson said as he accepted the gifts and compliments.
Sampson started as a police officer in 1974 in Larimore, N.D., became the chief of police in 1976 in Northwood, N.D., and joined the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Department in 1979.
"It's been a ride," Sampson said. "One of the best parts was teaching at the academy. I found out I love teaching." But in retirement, Sampson said he plans to relax, visit friends and family, and ride motorcycles.
There's a plaque at Choice Fitness Sampson sees on his regular trips with Rost, reading, "Life's a ride."
"That's what I want to leave you with," Rost told the people at his retirement party. "Life's a ride."
